Introduction

Henry James's magnificent heroine, a "young woman affronting her destiny" When Isabel Archer, a beautiful, spirited American, is brought to Europe by her wealthy Aunt Touchett, it is expected that she will soon marry. But Isabel, resolved to determine her own fate, does not hesitate to turn down two eligible suitors. She then finds herself irresistibly drawn to Gilbert Osmond, who, beneath his veneer of charm and cultivation, is cruelty itself. A story of intense poignancy, Isabel's tale of love and betrayal still resonates with modern audiences.

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Excerpt

Chapter 1

Under certain circumstances there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea. There are circumstances in which, whether you partake of the tea or not—some people of course never do,—the situation is in itself delightful. Those that I have in mind in beginning to unfold this simple history offered an admirable setting to an innocent pastime. The implements of the little feast had been disposed upon the lawn of an old English country-house, in what I should call the perfect middle of a splendid summer afternoon. Part of the afternoon had waned, but much of it was left, and what was left was of the finest and rarest quality. Real dusk would not arrive for many hours; but the flood of summer light had begun to ebb, the air had grown mellow, the shad- ows were long upon the smooth, dense turf. They lengthened slowly, however, and the scene expressed that sense of leisure still to come which is perhaps the chief source of one’s enjoyment of such a scene at such an hour. From five o’clock to eight is on certain occasions a little eternity; but on such an occasion as this the interval could be only an eternity of pleasure. The persons concerned in it were taking their pleasure quietly, and they were not of the sex which is supposed to furnish the regular votaries of the ceremony I have mentioned. The shadows on the perfect lawn were straight and angular; they were the shadows of an old man sitting in a deep wicker-chair near the low table on which the tea had been served, and of two younger men strolling to and fro, in desultory talk, in front of him. The old man had his cup in his hand; it was an unusually large cup, of a different pattern from the rest of the set and painted in brilliant colours. He disposed of its contents with much circumspection, holding it for a long time close to his chin, with his face turned to the house. His companions had either finished their tea or were indifferent to their privilege; they smoked cigarettes as they continued to stroll. One of them, from time to time, as he passed, looked with a certain attention at the elder man, who, unconscious of observation, rested his eyes upon the rich red front of his dwelling. The house that rose beyond the lawn was a structure to repay such consideration and was the most characteristic object in the peculiarly English picture I have attempted to sketch. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

Questions from the Publisher's Reading Guide:

1) Given the title of this book, do you think The Portrait of a Lady provides an accurate portrayal of women of that day, or is it more a portrait of one woman (Isabel) in particular? What do you make of Isabel's remark "I don't want to begin life by marrying. There are other things a woman can do"? Is this statement true, given the role of women at the time the story takes place? Do you find James's portrayal of women to be relevant today?

2) Early in the novel, Mrs. Touchett refers to Isabel as "a clever girl with a strong will and a high temper." Compare this to the ways in which Ralph Touchett, Lord Warburton, Caspar Goodwood, and Gilbert Osmond view Isabel.

3) In Chapter Five, Isabel comments to Ralph, "It's not absolutely necessary to suffer; we were not made for that." Discuss the extent to which you think James believes this statement is true. How does Ralph's terminal illness and unrequited love for Isabel illustrate this theme? What, to Isabel, is the value of suffering when she learns of Osmond's betrayal with Madame Merle? And what do you make of James's comment toward the end of the book that Isabel "needed to feel that her unhappiness should not have come to her through her own fault"?

4) What do you think of Isabel's comment to Caspar that "there's no generosity without some sacrifice"? Discuss the role of sacrifice with respect to Isabel, Ralph, and Pansy Osmond. What is Pansy's role in the story?

5) When James writes that Isabel "liked [Lord Warburton] too much to marry him," what does he mean? Isabel wants freedom; how would marrying Warburton impinge on that?

6) In Chapter Seventeen, Isabel likens her lack of plans for the future to "a swift carriage, of a dark night, rattling, with four horses over roads that one can't see--that's my idea of happiness." Discuss this statement. Does Isabel truly believe this, and to what extent is it representative of her point of view at the conclusion of the story?

7) At one point, Henrietta says to Isabel, "The peril for you is that you live too much in the world of your own dreams. You're not enough in contact with reality." Is this true? If so, is Isabel aware of this? If this is true, why does Ralph give her enough money to make her wealthy? When Isabel says to Ralph, "A large fortune means freedom, and I'm afraid of that," what do you imagine Isabel means, when she has just realized her deepest desires?

8) "Still who could say what men ever were looking for? They looked for what they found; they knew what pleased them only when they saw it." Discuss what each of the principal male characters (Ralph, Osmond, Warburton, and Goodwood) wants from Isabel. How does the author use each to reveal a facet of Isabel's character?

9) How does Ralph's death affect Isabel? What does it afford her? And what do you think James means when he writes that Ralph "made her feel the good of the world; he made her feel what might have been"? How so?

10) What do you think first attracts Isabel to Osmond? What makes her stay with him, given his view of women in general and Isabel in particular ("too many ideas")? What do you think James is getting at when he writes of Isabel that "she had no opinions--none that she would not have been eager to sacrifice in the satisfaction of feeling herself loved for it." At what point do you feel this is true for Isabel?

11) Why do you think James lets Caspar, who in many ways is a minor character, share the final scene with Isabel? What is revealed about Isabel in this scene?

12) To what extent do you feel the story of Isabel Archer is a tragedy? Do you think she considers it so? Does her return to Osmond signify failure or something else? Do you think she is merely realizing her desire to live life to the fullest, to experience what she calls "the usual chances and dangers" and thereby fulfill her destiny? Does the author view Isabel's situation differently than she herself does?

Weblinks

»	Publisher's Reading Guide
»	Publisher's Book Info
»	June 2004 New York Times Book Club Selection

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