The Ambassadors Summary

An American gentleman named Lambert Strether embarks on a journey to Chester, England, in hopes of encountering his friend Waymarsh. However, he instead meets a young woman, Maria Gostrey, who is acquainted with Waymarsh. Strether reveals to Gostrey that he has been tasked by his fiancée, Mrs. Newsome, to retrieve her son, Chad, from Europe, who is believed to be ensnared by an unsuitable woman. As Mrs. Newsome's unofficial emissary, Strether is committed to convincing Chad to return to the family business in Woollett. If he accomplishes this task, he will wed Mrs. Newsome. Gostrey advises Strether to reserve judgment of Chad's lover until he encounters her directly. Throughout the story, Gostrey often lends Strether encouragement and advice.

Upon their arrival in Paris, Strether, Gostrey, and Waymarsh discover that Chad is temporarily absent. While waiting for his return, Strether grows fond of his time sightseeing in Europe. At Chad's apartment, Strether crosses paths with a man named "little Bilham," a friend who watches over Chad's home during his trips. Gostrey insinuates that Bilham could be operating under Chad's instructions. However, Strether finds Bilham intriguing and invites him to the opera, where he encounters Chad, who has transformed significantly during his travels. Following the opera, Strether informs Chad of his mission but grows unsure about his own position. Chad's newfound maturity and sophistication astonish Strether, compelling him to ponder the source of Chad's dramatic change. Strether agrees to meet Chad's two close friends, a mother and daughter duo, assuming the daughter to be Chad's lover. Bilham persuades Strether that Chad's relationship with the unidentified woman is innocent, further complicating Strether's mission.

Gradually, Strether suspects that the mother, Madame de Vionnet, is the positive influence on Chad. He learns that Gostrey and Marie de Vionnet were schoolmates but have not reunited in many years. Strether recognizes Madame de Vionnet as the reason for Chad's reluctance to leave Paris when Chad sets up a marriage for Jeanne, the daughter, with another man. However, Strether, feeling a new sense of freedom in Europe, surprisingly pledges to help keep Chad in Paris, jeopardizing his relationship with Mrs. Newsome. Mrs. Newsome retaliates by sending new representatives, including her daughter Sarah and her husband Jim, to retrieve Chad. Sarah insists that Strether assist in convincing Chad to return to Woollett, but Strether worries about how this could impact his reports on Chad's progress. Despite Strether's initial belief that Sarah appreciates Chad's Parisian lifestyle, she expresses Mrs. Newsome's disapproval, leading Strether to confront the truth about Chad and Madame de Vionnet's intimate relationship. Even so, Strether still believes their relationship has positively impacted Chad. Eventually, Chad's determination to return to Woollett and improve the family business is clear. This, coupled with Gostrey's revelation of her feelings for Strether and his subsequent refusal of her marriage proposal, prompts him to return to the United States, despite his newfound appreciation for Europe.