Abstract
This paper explains that "Portrait of a Lady", seen by many as the first truly modernist American novel, was published only 16 years after the end of the American Civil War, during a period of great social change and unrest, particularly for women and minorities. The author describes the female characters illustrated in this book as Isabel Archer, the confused woman in search of her true self; Henrietta Stackpole, an "independent woman" seeking to change the world through her eye-catching and brutally honest journalism; Madame Merle, the devious and sly possessor of a scandalous secret, and Pansy Osmond, shy and continually controlled by her overbearing father. The paper relates that James' intentions for this novel's impact and legacy are still widely debated; some argue that the fate, which befalls each of his women, clearly displays his anti-feminist attitude but others argue that the freedom of choice he has given his female characters, allowing them to make their own mistakes, finally paints women as fellow human beings.

From the Paper
"One of the first female characters introduced to readers in "The Portrait of a Lady" is also one of the most anachronistic: Mrs. Touchett. Though married, she spends much of her time abroad while her husband and invalid son uncomplainingly reside in England's Gardencourt Manor. She and Mr. Touchett have been virtually separated since the beginning of their marriage, although Mrs. Touchett does spend one month per year at Gardencourt with her husband. Claiming she despises England's food and culture, she permits herself to flit about Europe with nearly unfettered access to freedoms normally only extended to men."

Tags:civil-war, isabel, stackpole, anti-feminist, freedom-of-choice

Abstract
This paper explores several important and distinctive similarities between "Portrait of a Lady," and "The American" both written by Henry James and shows how both stories possess aspects, which are very similar to James' own life. It focuses mainly on the similarities between the two stories in four aspects, how both stories were set in the same time period, the idea of the individual versus society, the collision of the New World and Europe and the idea of the two main characters, Christopher Newman and Isabel Archer as two fish out of water.

From the Paper
"Both stories were set in the nineteenth century aristocratic period circa 1860s (sparknotes.com). This was the period of time in, which a feeling of obligation to society was prevalent and a period in which shared beliefs were more important than personal opinion (sparknotes.com). Public life mattered more than one's private life in that people cared very much about their social reputations, in many cases more so than they care about their personal whims or desires. These were times in, which social etiquette, one's station in life and one's social reputation held definitive value."

Tags:individual, society, europe, america, reputation

Abstract
This essay discusses Henry James' writing style in "The Portrait of a Lady" and "Aspern Papers." Overall, we see a great talent in subtle and penetrating character descriptions. James focuses on one individual to paint a portrait of surrounding characters and events.

Abstract
The paper analyzes the idealism of Isabel Archer in Henry James' "Portrait of a Lady." The paper explains Isabel's self-serving behavior and James' view of what constitutes the "good life."

From the Paper
"The idealism of Henry James is apparent in his characterization of Isabel Archer in "Portrait of a Lady." Within the novel we see that James expresses an idealistic worldview that embraces respect and humility, emotion, good conscience, freedom and affection for country and family. However, within James' idealism we find that the author ascribes to a belief that there is a narrow path toward what constitutes the good life and the few there are that discover it."

Tags:romanticism, naivety, Americanness, individualism, identity, social conventions, refinement, relationships

Abstract
This essay reviews Henry James' "The Portrait of a Lady." It examines how Isabel's freedom ultimately arrived through the negation of choice. By finally making her own decision, she freed herself from the tyranny of multiple choice.

Abstract
This paper begins with providing a thorough breakdown of the plot of the novel. The setting of the novel is also analyzed for how it influences the character of Isabel. The paper finally looks at the relationship that Isabel has with the other characters in the novel - Warburton, Goodwood and Osmond.

From the Paper
"In "The Portrait of a Lady" by Henry James, character may be said to be a function of plot. The novelist shows what characters are like through what happens to them and through what they do in interaction with one another. Here, James makes the reader experience the consciousness of his fictional characters as refractive lenses through which perception occurs, such that what we perceive of those lenses becomes a crucial part of what we perceive through those lenses."

Tags:plot, setting, isabel, warburton, goodwood, osmond, character, james, novel, relationship

Abstract
Henry James unique version of realism is never more evident than in The Portrait of a Lady. He followed traditional realism in that his characters remained true to their identity regardless of the situation, but James diverged from realism in that the world where his characters lived had nothing to do with real life.

From the Paper
"Introduction
Henry James unique version of realism is never more evident than in The Portrait of a Lady. He followed traditional realism in that his characters remained true to their identity regardless of the situation, but James diverged from realism in that the world where his characters lived had nothing to do with real life. This paper will explore James view of realism as contained in this work.

James, Turgenev, and Howells
The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James reflects the influences and techniques advocated by James friends and intimates, Ivan Turgenev and William Cooper Howells. These writers were very much products of their age, an age where morality and realism collided. The story of Isabel Archer, the heroine of James s novel, provides an example of the authors similarities and disparities.

Henry James built a ..."

Abstract
This paper is an analysis of two novels -'The Scarlet Letter' and 'Portait of a Lady'. Each heroine in both of the books is explored in depth and the secondary characters are analyzed.These books deal with people whom live in very religious communities and have sinned. They are both condemned for their sins and are forced to live with them for the rest of their lives. This paper concludes that a new phase of life is best for both characters.

From the Paper
"The Scarlet Letter is unquestionably the story of Hester Prynne, a woman who violated the seventh commandment by committing adultery. She is punished by the the Puritan society and forced to wear the letter A. Hester is a victim of society, of her own actions, and of fate. Indeed, she is the victim of the letter she carries on her chest. The story is also that of Arthur Dimmesdale, an ordained minister, a devoted servant of God. He is doomed to be a hypocrite and secretly carry the burden of his sin. His punishment is to be tormented for seven long years. Concealing this sin breaks his heart and leads to a prolonged death because he had neither the courage nor the strength to face society and stand by Hester. Hester and Arthur are both punished for their sin and must face the consequences of their actions, either privately or publicly."

Tags:american, feminism, literature, secondary, characters, Puritan

Abstract
This paper presents a detailed look at two female literary characters and their individual consciousness. Isabel Archer in "Portrait of a Lady" and Carrie Meeber in "Sister Carrie" are analyzed and compared to draw conclusions.

Abstract
This paper compares the portraits of Boucher's painting "Reclining Girl" to Watteau's "A Lady at Her Toilet".