HenryJames's"TheJollyCorner"isahauntingpsychologicalghoststorythatexploresthemesofidentity,regret,andthepathsnottaken.Theprotagonist,SpencerBrydon,returnstoNewYorkafteryearsabroadandbecomesobsessedwiththeideaofencounteringhisalternateself—themanhemighthavebecomehadhestayedinAmerica.ThestoryunfoldsinBrydon'schildhoodhome,"thejollycorner,"wherehewanderstheemptyhallsatnight,tormentedbythespectralpresenceofhisotherself.ThetalebuildstoachillingclimaxasBrydonfinallycomesface-to-facewiththisghostlydoppelgänger,leadingtoaprofoundconfrontationwithhisownfearsandunfulfilledpotential.Jamesmasterfullyblendspsychologicaldepthwithsupernaturalelements,creatingameditationonthehauntingnatureofchoicesandtheselvesweleavebehind.
