The Spiritual Quest Of Isabel Archer In The Portrait Of A Lady

The Portrait of a Lady is considered as one of the greatest works by Henry James. It has received overwhelming critical responses since its first publication in November, 1881. Critics approach it from different perspectives with discussions of its writing technique, the international theme, the theme of freedom, the character of Isabel Archer and the idea of evil of Henry James. This thesis believes that the spiritual quest of Isabel Archer is another important theme in this novel. Isabel's transformation from a young girl of ignorance and innocence to a woman of knowledge and spiritual maturity is artfully and skillfully presented by Henry James in this complicated novel. The perspective of archetypal theory as well as the methods of the New Criticism is used in the discussion of the quest theme of this novel.The external journey, the internal quest and the rebirth of Isabel's spiritual quest are discussed in this thesis. Isabel, an innocent, inexperienced and independent girl in Albany, takes the journey to Europe, where she meets with mentors and the harshest ordeal in her life, marriage and friendship. The journey, mentors and the ordeal are the major archetypes of the external factor in Isabel's spiritual quest. In Europe, Isabel completes her quest for freedom, knowledge and full self through her experiences, especially the trials of marriage. The outcome of her quest is her spiritual rebirth. Though she loses innocence through the recognition of a tragic marriage and betraying friendship, Isabel obtains the transmutation of self, becoming a person who can adapt to this sophisticated world and who has a deeper understanding of humanity.Based on archetypal theory, the archetypes of journey, quest and rebirth are discussed in this thesis. It is proposed that these three major archetypes constitute the unity of Isabel's spiritual quest. The external journey and the internal quest bring about the rebirth of Isabel Archer. The discussion of archetypal motif of quest, which is employed in many literary works, is useful in offering a concept of organic unity in literature. This thesis believes that Isabel's spiritual quest is a success in the sense that she achieves spiritual maturity through life experiences, emotional trials, moral choices and cultural confrontations.