William Dean Howells' "Psychological Counter-current in Recent Fiction" offers a compelling exploration of American literary trends. A seminal work of literary criticism, this essay delves into the psychological depth emerging in fiction of the time. Howells, a prominent figure in American literature, analyzes the shift towards nuanced character portrayals and the exploration of inner lives within the narrative. He examines how authors of his era grappled with portraying the complexities of the human psyche in their writing. This study provides insights into the authors and literature of the period. It also explores the media and social commentary of the time, making it valuable for understanding the cultural landscape that shaped American fiction. This meticulously prepared print edition preserves Howells' insightful observations on the psychological dimensions of storytelling.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.