Author: Annick Martin

Publisher:

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13:

Isabel Archer, a young American heiress arrives in Europe with great projects in mind for her future destiny. Nevertheless, she is so fond of her freedom that she refuses two honorable suitors : Lord Warburton and Caspard Goodwood. This clever woman finally marries Gilbert Osmond, a cupid man without an estate. This choice turns out to be a failure and deprives her both of her independence and happiness. Isabel actually finds out that she is the victim of a conspiracy. A study of Isabel's childhood is necessary to clarify her ambiguous behaviour. In fact, the lack of parental guidance shaped her personality. She embodies the victim of the story and this theme is omnipresent in "The Portrait of a lady". Moreover, her strong self-sufficiency represents also an important element of the story. We can but wonder what accounts for such stubbornness to refuse the opportunities which might have helped her make her dreams come true. Besides, through Isabel's portrait, the writer clearly shows his art to depict women. In many ways, Isabel Archer, his heroine can be compared to a modern woman.