William Dean Howells
The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James is a novel about Isabel Archer, a spirited and independent young American woman who travels to Europe in search of freedom and self-fulfillment. After rejecting several marriage proposals, she unexpectedly inherits a large fortune. However, her newfound wealth leads her into a disastrous marriage with Gilbert Osmond, a manipulative and controlling man who values appearances over affection.As Isabel comes to terms with the consequences of her choices, the novel explores themes of freedom, identity, betrayal, and societal expectations. Ultimately, Isabel faces a painful moral and emotional dilemma, forced to choose between personal happiness and a sense of duty.The novel is considered one of Henry James’s masterpieces, celebrated for its psychological depth and complex portrayal of its heroine’s inner life.
