Society vs. Individuality in James\' the Portrait

Society vs. Individuality in James'

The Portrait of a Lady

Henry James' novel, The Portrait of a Lady, takes an exclusive look at the conflict between the individual and society. Isabel Archer is a lucky woman because she is afforded the luxury of knowing freedom and independence at a time when women were generally seen and not heard. Because of Isabel's upbringing, she can resist the proposals of men for the sole reason of her individuality. Freedom and independence are important and she realizes that one must be proactive in protecting them. When Isabel lets her guard down, she begins to compromise one small aspect at a time, those things she considered dear and important to her soul. Once lost, they bring her close to edge of darkness with no way of ever finding her way back to them. The portrait of this lady becomes darkened by the incredible conflict society creates on those choosing to live independently from social convention.

Isabel Archer is lucky enough to know what freedom and individuality taste like. We read she has everything a girl could have including "kindness, admiration, bonbons, bouquets, the exclusion from none of the privileges of the world she lived in, abundant opportunity for dancing, plenty of new dresses" (43). She is a complex character in that she is innocent and spoiled. Her optimism and intelligence make her unique and, in the beginning of the novel, is prepared to sacrifice nothing to society. This becomes a critical aspect of the novel and an important part of Isabel's self-worth. She will not compromise this for anyone of anything. She declines marriage because she feels her freedom and independence might be jeopardized and this is the level of importance she gives these things. The conclusion of the novel provides no real solution or hope for Isabel. At one point, she thinks, it "couldn't be that she was to live only to suffer" (720). She sees her future and she would never escape it. The middle years wrapped her about against and the grey curtain of her indifference closed her in" (721). Here we see how Isabel feels trapped by the world and thus she surrenders her freedom and individuality to the overwhelming constraints of family and motherhood.

Another theme Portrait of a Lady touches upon is the difference existing between American and European ideals. Europeans appear to be more cunning and selfish, as seen primarily through Osmond and Merle. Osmond flirts with Isabel just enough to make her doubt herself and her previous thoughts. Isabel spends a great deal of time rejecting love and suitors because of what she fears they or it might take from her. She protects her individuality with care and with Warburton and Goodwood, she manages to resist the temptation to fall in love. With Osmond, it is a different thing because he does not immediately ask for her hand in marriage. Instead, he flirts with her, telling her things like when she loses her temper, she "must be beautiful" (393). He admits he has nothing to offer her and does not want anything from her. Because he does not threaten her freedom with his confession of love, he is coming at Isabel from a different angle that what she is accustomed to in most situations. For this reason, he takes her slightly off guard, a move that works in his behalf.

The title of the novel revolves around the idea that James presents us with the portrait of Isabel. The artist attempts to make every effort to reveal the subject without interjecting any opinion. Thus, James' portrait of Isabel is one that captures the many elements that give Isabel her individuality. We see the many sides of her along with her choices and how they affect her life. The portrait looks into Isabel's heart and mind as well as the society in which she lives. We see the woman she is, the woman she used to be, the freedom she loves, and the prison she endures for the sake of society. Isabel plays many roles but the most important aspect of her portrait is how she perceives the world around her because it is that world that shapes who she will become.