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...

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…