Essay --

Isabel archer Her Quest For Freedom And Downf on the whole The Portrait of a Lady is the nearly stunning achievement of Henry Jamess early period--in the 1860s and 70s when he was transforming himself from a talented young American into a resident of Europe, a citizen of the arena, and one of the superior novelists of modern times. Quest of freedom The Portrait of a Lady is a story ab bulge out protagonist Isabel Archer, a penniless orphan. Many sizable suitors come to her with a proposal of marriage and she declines, as she precious to make an prowess of her life history that is to follow her dreams, as she was a coarse-grained and intelligent young woman. She was strong minded and stubbornly indep stopping pointent with an intensely sensual nature and a powerful desire to explore and pack with the world on her own and sees marriage as a prison house that would limit her ability to experience her life. Isabel unexpectedly inherits a fortune, freeing her particularly fr om the need to marry. Now she could do whatever she wanted. She wanted to confidently operate her dream and didnt want anyone hold her back. Her cool independence is non a very feminine ideal, she seems to show no need but to fly. During her childhood she spends her time reading romantic philosophy, cultivating an idealistic view of the world of art, philosophy and learning, that of Europe but couldnt have a practicable taste of things. So when she inherits a fortune whole world spreads out in front of her giving her the opportunity to fulfil her dreams and to make an art of her life. She wanted to enjoy and break free. Now she could see and feel things in real terms. She didnt want to get married and put an end to her freedom. She was a proud woman and was not shy to express what she felt. When someone asks her ... ...is that she has not been educated. None of her friends or relatives guides to her direction. Her father had assumed that the free, unfettered life with no real guidance was sufficient. Her Aunt thought that a gossip to Gardencourt, to Paris to purchase clothes, and to Florence was sufficient. Ralph thought that providing Isabel with a fortune would be sufficient. They were all wrong. An education requires other more important components. An education requires others who care for and contribute to ones development. Isabel Archer did not have any of these others. It was no wonder that her education misfired. References Arnold Kettle, Henry James The Portrait of a Lady, in The Portrait of a Lady, ed. Robert D. Bamberg (New York W.W. Norton), 679. http//artsweb.bham.ac.uk/maf/Project1-02/Portrait.htm http//www.online-literature.com/henry_james/