The Portrait of A Lady – Final Review

“You wanted to look at life for yourself—but you were not allowed; you were punished for your wish. You were ground in the very mill of the conventional.”

If the story of The Portrait of A Lady must be packed in few sentences, the above quote suits perfectly to express it. The Portrait of A Lady portrayed the rise and fall of Isabel Archer’s life. Isabel was an American young woman who had been confined in her father’s protection for years. She was a smart woman, thirst of knowledge and experience of the outer world, and her dream was to see other countries and to meet people from different cultures. When her father died, Isabel saw the first hint of her fortune; a woman who introduced herself as her aunt would like to take her to England.

Isabel stayed at her aunt’s house—the Touchetts’—with her uncle, old Mr. Touchett and her cousin Ralph Touchett. Ralph was a cheerful and spirited young man; who unfortunately suffered from pulmonary disease that made him pale and weak, and forced him to resign from his job and to stay idly at home. Ralph fell in love with Isabel from the first time, but kept it to himself, realizing he had no future because of his illness. At the same time, his friend—Lord Warburton—was attracted to Isabel; and a young American businessman called Caspar Goodwood completed the group of Isabel’s suitors. Isabel rejected both their approaches, as she was still fascinated to see the world before being bounded in a marriage.

Before old Mr. Touchett died, Ralph secretly persuaded his father to alter his will, and granted big half of his share to Isabel, because he wanted to fulfill Isabel’s dream. Isabel had suddenly become rich; and this attracted Mrs. Touchett’s friend called Madame Merle. Merle introduced Isabel to Gilbert Osmond—a gentlemen without money or merit but has great ambition to be admired by the society. Osmond’s unique personalities attracted Isabel; ignoring her friend’s advises, Isabel decided to marry Osmond after she returned from the around-the-world journey, and lived in Rome. This decision turned out to be a huge mistake—as Isabel later realized—because Osmond had married her only for her money, with Merle as his ‘partner in crime’. The free spirited Isabel must now live unhappily under her husband’s strict dominancy.

This is the first Henry James I have ever read, and I instantly remarked his genius writing. Not only telling a beautiful tale, James also analyzed psychological aspects of society through his heroine and the satellite characters. But I liked this book especially because of Isabel Archer herself. I found from her first appearance that Isabel was so similar to me. We both are free spirited; we love the freedom to do things ourselves and we like to make our own decision. I share the same thirst of knowledge with Isabel, I had even promised myself—when I was in college—that I won’t marry unless I had stepped my feet in France! 

Because of the similarity, I sympathized with Isabel along her journey of life, I understood her feelings and her decisions. For others, it might be stupid, stubborn or anything, but for us it’s what we must do. Although I’m luckier than Isabel that I was not obliged to accept proposal from many suitors (and thank God I did not have to deal with stubborn suitors like Isabel’s, LOL!), I can understand why Isabel had rejected both Lord Warburton and Caspar Goodwood. Both were good men, but they were often too pushy toward Isabel; they kept circling around her, asking again and again what she wanted; offering their wealth, gentle understanding, etc. In short they were eager to marry her. The subject here was always themselves, never Isabel. You’re wrong guys, Isabel is an independent woman, she likes to be active; the harder you force an idea to her, the more she will reject it. It’s just our characters!

So, how could Isabel chose Osmond then? It’s because he appeared humble in front of Isabel—false it was in fact.

“I’m absolutely in love with you…. I’ve too little to offer you. What I have—it’s enough for me; but it’s not for you. I’ve neither fortune, nor fame, nor extrinsic advantages of any kind. So, I offer nothing.”

That’s what he told her, and I guess, that—among other things—had intrigued Isabel to like Osmond. It turned out to be a wrong choice, well….who don’t make mistakes anyway? Isabel was so innocent at that time, that she wasn’t wise enough to see motives behind other’s perfectness.

If I could advise Isabel, I would advise her to choose Ralph. For me, Ralph’s love was the purest, for he loved Isabel from his helplessness; he understood her very well; he never forced her to do or say something; and best of all, he sacrificed his part of inheritance for her happiness, without even telling her. And I believe a woman should marry a man with whom she feels most comfortable with, as if she doesn’t have to hide anything from him, for he should understand anyway. And Isabel could find that credits only in Ralph (Isabel was afraid of Goodwood, and with Warburton, she often felt uneasy).

James did not offer a sentimental and emotional ending as Dickens; James’ ending could not be said beautiful, but still made us reflect and think a lot. The Portrait of A Lady is not a tale, it’s a portrait of real life. We made mistakes and struggle, sometimes we can get out of the sorrows and start a new brighter life; but most of all, we cannot run from our decision and what we can do is to stop crying about it, and to apply a new way of thinking to make the best of it. Isabel Archer had taught me to be brave and always hold my principles. People can control me physically, but no one can control my mind!

Four stars for The Portrait of A Lady. You can find my deeper analysis of this book in my stage reading inquiries post.

Quotes:

“I would die if you could live. But I don’t wish you to live; I would die myself, not to lose you.”

Isabel Archer

“You won’t lose me—you’ll keep me. Keep me in your heart; I shall be nearer to you than I’ve never been. Dear Isabel, life is better; for in life there’s love.”

Ralph Touchett

“If you have been hated you’ve also been loved. Ah but, Isabel—adored!”

Ralph Touchett

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*I read 1999 Wordsworth Classics edition paperback*

*This book is counted as*

2^nd book for Turn of The Century Salon

 3^rd book for 2013 TBR Pile Challenge

2^nd book for Bucket List Reading Challenge

1^st book for New Authors Reading Challenge2013

30^th book for The Classics Club Project

50^th book for 1001 Books You Must Read BeforeYou Die

The Portrait of A Lady – The Stage Reading Inquiries

These are my works on stage reading inquiries for my Well-Educated Mind Self Project. As I still have much more to talk about this book, I decided to write separate post as my final review. I hope you haven’t been bored yet to read more about this book; it’s a good story anyway! :)

Eugene de Blaas (1843-1931)

Grammar-Stage Inquiry

Who is the central character in this book?

Isabel Archer, an American young woman, daughter of a wealthy man. She was a self-possessed intelligent woman with a free and independent mind.

What is the book’s most important event? At which point in the book does the character change?

I think there are two most important points in Isabel’s life. First is her decision to marry Gilbert Osmond, an American man who lived in Italy, who has a noble manner and a conventional mind and taste. Isabel, with her obsession to anything different and new, saw Osmond as a charming man who stood aside from others. She married him, and slowly realized that she had made a terrible mistake, as Osmond was a very dominant husband. After the marriage, the free and high spirited Isabel became passive, indifferent, and seemed to always be under a mask.

The second point is at the last chapter after Ralph’s death, when Isabel finally decided that she would return to her dominant husband, but this time she would be herself. Isabel has learned all the truth, she knew now what has made her suffered, and that there was no place in the world where women could be completely free. Thus all she could do was to freely choose her destiny and live with it bravely, and I guess she won’t be as submissive to Osmond as before.

Logic-Stage Inquiry

What does Isabel Archer want? What is standing in her way? What strategy does she pursue in order to overcome this block?

Isabel Archer always wanted to be free, even before she inherited that huge amount of fortune. However, the society where she lived could not accept women to be free on their own. In this story, Isabel was trapped under her husband (Osmond)’s dominancy right after their marriage. At first Isabel firmly rejected her friends’ advises to leave Osmond, she did not want to run away from her own decision. Till the end of the story, James did not clearly mention Isabel’s plan, but I believe she has quite changed after Ralph’s dead and Goodwood’s passionate proposal. Isabel knew at last that she could not change something beyond her control: culture and society, but at least she could change her own mind, her way of thinking. Men can control her physically, but they could not frighten her, Isabel decided to return home with a new spirit. That’s only the beginning to get your freedom, to realize that no one could frighten you.

Who is telling you the story?

The story is told from both the third person limited and the omniscient point of views. James picked Isabel Archer as his central character; the story was told by a narrator using her point of view. However, there were times when the narrator also took us to analyze Isabel’s decision, her state of mind, and her feelings. So I think James wanted us to judge for ourselves whether his heroine had done the right things, considering what she had experienced, what she could not control, and the culture and society at that time.

Rhetoric-Stage Inquiry

Is this book an accurate portrayal of life? Is it true?

From what I had read in Victorian books and histories, Isabel’s situation—the lack of freedom for women—was accurate. Even until now, I believe there are still women who experience domination from men everywhere; either physically or mentally; either at home, at work place, or at society.

Do you sympathize with the characters? Which ones, and why?

From the moment Isabel entered the story, I have felt that she had much similarity to me, that made me sympathize with her more. I could understand her feeling, as I often feel it too; we both long to express ourselves in a way we want it, we like to live our own lives and make decision by ourselves. What Isabel always need was the freedom to look at things from her point of view, to be given chance to express it, and being appreciated. Isabel suffered a lot under her husband domination but she refused to surrender.

What exactly is the writer telling you?

Through his heroine, I think James wanted us to give more respect to women. When a man marries a woman, he ought not just to consider whether she would be a beautiful ornament to his household or not. Women are human being, just as men; they were created equally to support each other in a marriage life. Men must give their wives more room to express themselves, to be their husband’s partners. Men must give more respect to their wives—or women in general.

James talked a lot about the difference of Americans and Europeans. Americans were portrayed to be more open-minded and aggressive—look at Henrietta Stackpole and Caspar Goodwood; while Europeans were more conservative. I think James wanted to tell us how human beings were shaped by culture and society where they had been grown up. You could not bend their characters to be like yours; and that in marriages between two cultures, you could each compromise to each other—compromising, not total submission.

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The Portrait of A Lady – Chapter 46-55

And these are the last ten chapters of this book (you can return to chapters 1-15; chapters 16-30; or 31-45 if want to grab the whole complete chapters).

Portrait Of Madame Gaudibert
(Monet)

 Chapter 46

Lord Warburton’s proposal letter had never arrived, and when Osmond had been impatient, Warburton appeared himself only to say good bye as he’d be leaving Rome. Osmond blamed his great disappointment to Isabel, and still bore hope that someday Lord Warburton would still think about marrying Pansy.

Chapter 47

Caspar Goodwood had already overcome his broken heart; and Isabel made him promise to take care of the dying Ralph for her. Meanwhile, Osmond like Goodwood more than Isabel’s other friends.

Chapter 48

Ralph decided to come home to die at peace; Henrietta was willingly to escort him, as well as Caspar Goodwood who was asked his favor by Isable. Ralph did not believe that Isabel was happy, but could never extract the truth from Isabel; so did Goodwood who must leave Rome unsatisfied. Here Isabel seemed eager to send everyone away from her.

Chapter 49

Madame Merle blamed Isabel because she has failed to marry Pansy to Lord Warburton. On the other hand, Isabel now fully realized that Madame Merle had cunningly set up her marriage.

Chapter 50

Edward Rosier had sold his precious collections in order to be “rich enough” for Osmond, to marry his daughter; however Osmond made a quick decision to put Pansy in the convent. Meanwhile Countess Gemini was fond of Rosier, and Osmond threatened to banish her if she interfered with his business.

Chapter 51

Ralph was dying, but when Isabel wanted to leave for England to attend to Ralph’s dying bed, Osmond forbade her. Countess Gemini revealed to Isabel that in fact Osmond was Madame Merle’s old lover, and that Pansy was their daughter.

Chapter 52

Isabel finally decided to leave after all, alone. She stopped by the convent to see Pansy, but met Madame Merle there. The later finally realized that Isabel had learned about her secret, and took revenge by telling her that Ralph was in fact the one who had made her fortune.

Chapter 53

Henrietta was going to marry Mr. Bantling and surprisingly left her beloved native land—America—to live in England.

Chapter 54

At Gardencourt Isabel heard news that Lord Warburton was going to marry a lady he had courted only three weeks. Isabel accompanied Ralph beside his dying bed, and they talked every think they had been hiding until then. Although Isabel always hid it, Ralph always understood that she was unhappy. They were having a happy time to feel their love until Ralph finally left the world in peace.

Chapter 55

After the funeral, Isabel was confused, she could not make her mind of what she should do, should she return although she knew Osmond would be very angry to her? Lord Warburton came to bid her good bey; while Caspar Goodwood came to tell Isabel that Raplh—before he died—has asked him to take good care of Isabel. With that, Goodwood suggested that Isabel should leave her husband and marry him instead. After a passionate act from Goodwood, Isabel suddenly knew what she must do; she must go home. And with that—once again—Isabel sent Goodwood away.

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The Portrait of A Lady – Chapter 31-45

Another summary post for the next fifteen chapters, following the first chapters 1 – 15, then chapter 16 to 30.

Chapter 31

A year after making the journey to see the world, Isabel took another journey to the East with Madame Merle where she found hints of her friend’s bad morality, which declined her friendship’s intensity with Madame Merle. Then Isabel returned to Florence to meet Mrs. Touchett and Ralph.

Chapter 32

Caspar Goodwood came as he had been promised by Isabel, to get final answer from the young lady two years after their last meeting. Isabel told him that she was going to marry Gilbert Osmon, and Goodwood then left in anger.

Chapter 33

 Mrs. Touchett disapproved Isabel’s intention to marry Mr. Osmond who possessed nothing, but she was angrier to Madame Merle for having deceived her. Ralph was very shocked when he heard the news; he had done a huge mistake in his calculation about Isabel’s future.

Chapter 34

Ralph uttered to Isabel how he thought it’s wrong to marry Osmond whom he believed was a villain but could not prove anything about it. He finally admitted that he had had a great design for Isabel’s future because, as he said: “I love you, but I love without hope”.  Isabel could not accept that argument, she had chosen Osmond because he was nobody and had nothing, that she loved his mind and his character.

Chapter 35

When no one agreed Isabel’s decision, it made her firmer of it, she felt that her marriage was to please herself, not anyone else.

Chapter 36

Mr. Edward Rosier re-appeared, he turned out to be falling in love with Pansy Osmond, and was asking Madame Merle’s favour to ease his way to marry the little girl—who now turned fifteen.

Chapter 37

Mr. Osmond didn’t want to have Rosier as his son in law, for he’s not rich and not good enough for Pansy. Mrs. Osmond—or our Isabel—followed her husband’s judgment while Madame Merle seemed to have her own plan for Mr. Rosier who was offended by the rejection.

Chapter 38

Lord Warburton came to visit the Osmonds in Rome; he had recovered from his old broken heart. He brought Ralph—whose health got worse—with him. Meanwhile Pansy confirmed Rosier that her love was for him.

Chapter 39

Ralph observed that Isabel has changed, the self-possessed young woman had become only a representative of her husband. Ralph’s health got better while in Rome because he was so excited to see what would happen next to Isabel, that he decided to stay in Rome, as well as Lord Warburton who suddenly became interested in Pansy… or her stepmother?....

Chapter 40

At first Isabel was sure that she has set up her marriage with Osmond by her own, without Madame Merle’s help; but as time went on, she became unsure. She knew she had a big mistake, but she just had to accept and live with that, and won’t put the blame on Madame Merle. One day she witnessed Madame Merle and her husband were talking in a very friendly and intimate manner. Meanwhile Isabel was reluctant and indifferent when Madame Merle was discussing Mr. Rosier’s proposal to marry Pansy; but she immediately approved Pansy’s marriage when she heard that Lord Warburton had somehow attracted to the girl.

Chapter 41

When Osmond was talking to Isabel, it’s obvious that he dominated his wife, and that Isabel became submissive. Osmond wanted to set up a marriage between Pansy and Lord Warburton; he asked Isabel to use her “influence” upon the Lord to manage it.

Chapter 42

After some reflections, Isabel became aware of Warburton’s true intention of marrying Pansy, was it not to renew his love to her? Other than that, sable realized how Osmond had hated her, which made her life miserable. She didn’t think she made a mistake on marrying Osmond, as she had been devoted to him. It’s just that Osmond didn’t like women with too many ideas as Isabel. He liked Isabel’s cleverness, but he expected her to follow his way of thinking. Osmond’s very conservative and Isabel—with her free mind and no traditions—suffered a good deal for being confined in Osmond’s principles. Her reflection lingered also to Ralph who was much more intelligent than Osmond. Isabel often visited Ralph whom she believed was dying.

Chapter 43

In a dance party to where Isabel escorted Pansy, she met Lord Warburton whom Isabel found still in love with her, not Pansy. Poor Edward Rosier pleaded Isabel’s help for him to marry Pansy; Isabel was indifferent at first but at the end she gave him a little hope.

Chapter 44

Countess Gemini—Osmond’s sister—Henrietta Stackpole and Caspar Goodwood were on their way to the Osmond’s, although they came for very different reasons. The Countess was invited by her brother, while Henrietta would like to help her dearest friend who was unhappy—especially when she heard that Lord Warburton was in a close approach to Isabel. Meanwhile Goodwood wanted to see Isabel again.

Chapter 45

Osmond dislike Isabel’s frequent visits to Ralph’s, whom he thought would infect her wife’s mind with his idea of freedom. On their meetings, Isabel often hid her feeling about her miserable marriage in front of Ralph. Isabel knew that Pansy would be happy if she married Rosier, but she mercilessly pushed her to marry Warburton instead, because Osmond wanted it. Pansy firmly believed that Warburton won’t proposed her if she didn’t want it.

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The Portrait of A Lady – Chapter 16-30

Following my summary post of chapter 1-15, here’re the next fifteen chapters of The Portrait of A Lady…

Portrait of a Young Lady
Sir James Jebusa Shannon (1862-1923)

Chapter 16

Caspar Goodwood came to see Isabel at the London’s Hotel, and once again Isabel rejected him because she wanted to be free to see the world. Here Isabel showed her persistence to be left free to her own choice of fate.

Chapter 17

Isabel was so satisfied with her power in sending her suitor away; she’s kind of enjoyed it. Henrietta—liberal herself—thought Isabel would harm herself and criticize it as “immoral” if she kept doing that. Then Mr. Touchett’s health got worse and forced the two cousins to come home immediately.

Chapter 18

Ralph inquired his dying father to grant half of the son’s part of inheritance to Isabel, so that Isabel could fulfil her dream

Chapter 19

 Isabel found new admiration towards Madame Merle—Mrs. Touchett’s friend. She was amiable, clever, but too unnatural and too perfect. Madame Merle believed that people were judge from their fortune, their house, their status, or their career; without those, one was nobody. This chapter was closed by the death of old Mr. Touchett.

Chapter 20

Ralph soon left England, while Mrs. Touchett departed to Paris with Isabel who was still confused after having inherited seventy thousand pounds. She found in Paris that being rich meant idleness, and that won’t led one to anything, just like Ned Rosier—an American young man who lived idly in Paris.

Chapter 21

Isabel and her aunt arrived in Italy. Ralf advised Isabel to take things more easily, on the subject of her sudden fortune, and lived as she liked best. When she had already been familiar to her richness, she reflected that she didn’t have any regret of the past, especially to her suitors.

Chapter 22

There’s Mr. Gilbert Osmond, a widower with a 15 years old daughter; he and Madame Merle mysteriously made a deal that he should get to know and marry Isabel Archer because of her new fortune.

Chapter 23

Ralph thought Madame Merle was “too perfect” but Isabel adored her still, and Ralph thought it would be safe after all for Isabel to befriend and learn lessons from Madam Merle.

Chapter 24

Isabel thought Mr. Osmond as a rare “specimen” that was apart from people she had ever known, and she soon attracted to him.

Chapter 25

Madame Merle’s and Osmond’s sister’s conversation had only confirmed that Madame Merle and Osmond had an intention to rob Isabel’s fortune with a marriage. Osmond’s sister knew about this and would try to hinder the wicked plan if she could.

Chapter 26

Osmond began to appear quite often at Mrs. Touchett’s to approach Isabel. Mrs. Touchett didn’t approved this, while Ralph disagreed with his mother. Meanwhile Henrietta and his boy friend were about to visit Rome; Ralph and Isabel would join her; and so Mr. Osmond at the last minutes—you know for what reason!

Chapter 27

In Rome Isabel incidentally met Lord Warburton, who promised not to press Isabel about his love again. He came to know that he had a competitor: Gilbert Osmond. Ralph advised him to just be quiet and believe that Isabel won’t like him.

Chapter 28

Meeting Isabel at the opera, Lord Warburton had been greeted coldly by the girl, and he left in disappointment; while Osmond felt more interested in a girl who could refuse an English Lord.

Chapter 29

In Rome Ralph was delightful to see that he had successfully mastered Isabel’s development. Then Isabel must be back to her aunt’s, and on the last night Osmond told her that he fell in love with her. Isabel did not promise him anything because she would take the journey around the world, but Osmond emphasized that he would wait patiently and until then his feeling would remain unchanged. He humbly said that he could not offer anything, only that he loved her. Before they parted, Osmond asked Isabel to stop by his house and told his daughter—Pansy—that “she must love his poor father very much”.

Chapter 30

Isabel administered the task of visiting Pansy, and her chat with the little girl only added her interest and respect towards Mr. Osmond.

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The Portrait of A Lady – Chapter 1-15

This is my summary post of The Portrait of A Lady, as part of the tasks inquired for my The Well-Educated Mind Self Project. There are still 40 more chapters of it, which I will post in the next three summary posts.

Chapter 1

Introducing old Mr. Touchett, an American wealthy banker with an unhappy marriage to Lydia Touchett—an independent old woman; they had a son—Ralph Touchett—a sickly, unattractive in appearance but clever young man, who had a friend—Lord Warburton—a charming but arrogant young man. The Touchetts lived in a beautiful Tudor old house near London, and the father and son were now waiting for the mother to come home with her unknown niece from America.

Chapter 2

The niece was Isabel Archer—a beautiful, self-esteemed, independent young woman. Both Ralph Touchett and Lord Warburton seemed to be attracted to her on the day she arrived.

Chapter 3

Isabel had grown up and got her intellectual education from books in her grandmother’s big house. After her father’s death, Mrs. Touchett visited her, and both aunt and niece came to respect each other because they had similar bluntness and independent minds.

Chapter 4

People had always thought Isabel as natural and too clever as a woman. A young man called Caspar Goodwood—her suitor—came to propose a more fruitful relationship, but Isabel—who was then eager to have a new beginning—disappointed him.

Chapter 5

Ralph greatly admired his father. He had had a promising life before his health betrayed him and forced him to stay in Gardencourt (The Touchetts house). When Ralph thought his life won’t last long, he became interested in Isabel and observing her unique characters.

Chapter 6

Isabel was always thirst of knowledge, but lacked of the real knowledge of humans sufferings, as she had always been fortunate since she was a child. Isabel has then grown up as a self-centered woman.

Chapter 7

Ralph liked Isabel’s company because she enlightened his burdened days; he feared of losing his father, whose health had been down lately. Ralph observed his feelings towards Isabel, and decided that it’s not love. Meanwhile Lord Warburton paid a visit to Gardencourt for three days and made Isabel liked him very much.

Chapter 8

Isabel visited Lockleigh—Lord Warburton residence—and have discussion over their countries and politics with the Lord. In Ralph’s and his father’s opinion, Warburton was inconsistent; he wanted to have a reformation, yet didn’t want to lose his land. As Mr. Touchett had once warned Warburton not to fall in love with his niece, he warned Isabel the same thing too.

Chapter 9

Isabel got acquainted with Lord Warburton’s siblings; both his sisters were typical English women with their shyness and passive manners. Warburton would like to get to a higher stage in his relationship with Isabel, but Isabel insisted that her aunt will take her to visit other countries abroad.

Chapter 10

Isabel’s female American journalist friend came to visit Gardencourt. Henrietta Stackpole thought Ralph was rough and indifferent; while Ralph had misinterpreted Henrietta of proposing him a marriage—which he declined and made Henrietta angry.

Chapter 11

Miss Stackpole despised Mrs. Touchett as much as the hostess disliked her guest; but on top of it, they disliked each other’s country. Caspar Goodwood came to England to change Isabel’s mind, who then rejected him.

Chapter 12

At the same time Lord Warburton was proposing Isabel to marry him. Isabel admitted that she liked him very much, but still, she wasn’t ready for matrimonial life; although she had not quite sure yet what she wanted exactly.

Chapter 13

With Caspar Goodwood—a cotton businessman—Isabel felt he was too dominant for her, and she did not love him anyway. Isabel wrote a refusing letter to Lord Warburton, while Henrietta—who was concerned about Isabel’s personality change—asked Ralph to invite Goodwood to Gardencourt, which Goodwood rejected. Henrietta, Isabel and Ralph then planned an excursion to London.

Chapter 14

When Lord Warburton asked Isabel why she rejected him, she answered that she did not want to end like ordinary English women without chance to see more from life; she haven’t been ready yet to give up her freedom.

Chapter 15

In London the two cousins fell in serious conversation from which they came to a realization of what Isabel had been wanting for her future, which made her rejected the idea of marriage. As Ralph said to Isabel: “The world interests you and you want to throw yourself into it.”

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