New Analysis Of Isabel In Henry James's The Portrait Of A Lady

Henry James (1843-1916) is generally regarded as one of America's novelists and critics. James depicts various characters in his novels, but women are the focal point of his literary works. This thesis focuses on the analysis of the heroine Isabel Archer in James's novel The Portrait of a Lady. Isabel is endowed with both new woman traits and traditional values. By comparison with two other new women in the novel, we can draw a conclusion:Isabel is a Jamesian ideal woman.The thesis is divided into five chapters, preceded by an introduction and followed by a conclusion.Introduction gives a brief review of Henry James's literary works, makes a general survey of literary review on The Portrait of a Lady, and shows the analytical approach of the thesis.Chapter One deals with Henry James's concern over women in his literary works and finds out the reasons for his enthusiasm in portrayal of the female images. James's concern over women in his literary works can be attributed to his unique feminine quality and influences of his mother and cousin and the 19th century women's liberation movement.Chapter Two elaborates on a courageous New Woman Isabel Archer. As a New Woman, Isabel struggles for independence. She audaciously refuses two suitors believing that marriage would undermine her independence and freedom.Chapter Three gives an analysis of Isabel as a New Woman with traditional values. Isabel has ambiguous attitude towards marriage. On one hand she is afraid that marriage may undermine her independence and freedom. On the other hand, she goes into marriage with sacrificing spirit. Facing her tragic marriage, her strong sense of responsibility and noble morality make her return to marriage.Chapter Four explores Isabel as a Jamesian ideal woman. In the novel, Henry James reveals the weakness of New Woman by portraying two other new women-Mrs.Touchett and Henrietta. Compared with Isabel, they are imperfect. Isabel is a Jamesian ideal woman who combines individualism with responsibility.Chapter Five analyses James's paradoxical attitude towards women seen from Isabel. Two factors are related with the shaping of James's paradoxical attitude towards women:the influence of strong patriarchal value of James's family and James's conception of cultural conflicts.Conclusion is the summary of this thesis. Modern career women can get inspiration from Jamesian ideal woman Isabel who is combined with adherence to independence and the sense of responsibility to marriage and people around her. The exploration of James's paradoxical attitude towards women is significant for the interpretation of female images in his literary works.