Henry James (1843—1916) was an American author regarded as a key transitional figure between literary realism and literary modernism. «The Spoils of Poynton» describes the struggle between Mrs. Gereth, a widow of impeccable taste and iron will, and her son Owen over a houseful of precious antique furniture. The story is largely told from the viewpoint of Fleda Vetch, a young woman in love with Owen but sympathetic to Mrs. Gereth's anguish over losing the antiques she patiently collected. Henry James created a work of exquisite ambiguity in his depiction of three women fighting for the allegiance of one weak-willed man.