Analysis Of The Portrait Of A Lady

642 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The europeans henry james summary

Isabel Archer: Her Quest For Freedom And Downfall The Portrait of a Lady is the most stunning achievement of Henry James's 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 world, and one of the greatest novelists of modern times. Quest of freedom “The Portrait of a Lady” is a story about protagonist Isabel Archer, a penniless orphan. Many rich suitors come to her with a proposal of marriage but she declines, as she wanted to make an art of her life that is to follow her dreams, as she was a spirited and intelligent young woman. She was strong minded and stubbornly independent with an intensely sensual nature and a powerful desire to explore and engage with the world on her own and sees marriage as a prison that would limit her ability to experience her life. Isabel unexpectedly inherits a fortune, freeing her particularly from the need to marry. Now she could do whatever she wanted. She wanted to confidently pursue her dream and didn’t want anyone hold her back. Her cool independence is not 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 couldn’t have a practical 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 didn’t 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 ... ... middle of paper ... ...is that she has not been educated. None of her friends or relatives contributes to her education. Her father had assumed that the free, unfettered life with no real guidance was sufficient. Her Aunt thought that a visit 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 one's 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/

Show More
Related

  • Artist Analysis: Dorothea Lange

    1949 Words  | 4 Pages

    The artist known as Dorothea Lange is renowned as one of the most influential photographers of the Great Depression. This unit of study is focused on the in-depth history of Lange, her art collection as a whole, her aesthetic appeal to the public, and how to apply her work to a production lesson for 4th or 5th grade.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Portrait Of Mrs. Chinnery

    667 Words  | 2 Pages

    The painting named Portrait of Mrs. Chinnery is an artwork by Elisabeth-Louise Vigee LeBrun produced in the year 1803. It is oil on canvas rectangular painting measuring 36 by 28 inches (91.5 by 71 cent meters). Its subject is Mrs. Chinnery, wife to William. Details on her life are scarce although her maiden name is reported. She was a widely known pianist and a popular hostess in one of the buildings that many of the British rich and noble people liked to frequent. She had three children: George, Caroline and Walter. In this painting, the lady is presented sitting in a relaxed manner while reading a book which is claimed to be about the French fashion of which she was an enthusiast. The subject’s body is facing to the right of the painting, the direction in which she holds the book. She, however, is facing directly in front, in reference to the portrait, with her gaze slightly to the right. Her left arm is hidden below the book, away from view in the painting, while her right arm rests between the pages of the book, probably near the middle of the book, as if to prevent it from closing. She is wearing a red dress, with short sleeves and a V shape in the chest area. She has two necklaces hanging from her neck. She has a red bund round her head, probably to hold her hair off her face. She has gold colored hair hanging freely down her neck and back. In the forehead, the hair is parted in such a way as to form an inverted V. She can be inferred to be wearing a red lipstick, with her face tilted slightly to the left. She does not seem to be smiling; her left eye is open wider than the left eye as if she is winking with the lips closed tightly together. Part of the thigh region can be seen but the legs are hidden off the painting. She ...

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Andy Warhol's Painting Pf Marilyn Monroe

    107 Words  | 1 Pages

    I think Andy warhol printed Marilyn Monroe after hers death because she was a social icon. Marilyn had become a brand and not a person and i think that this was the point of making this. She was dead but her picture was everywhere. He painted Marilyn like he painted the campbell's soup can. He was fascinated about popular culture. Like Elvis Presley or James Dean. They were both very famous in their life but when they died they become a commercial franchise. It’s the same for Marilyn. So Andy Warhol’s painting pf Marilyn Monroe should seen less as a portrait and more as a social

    Read More

  • Female Rebellion In Aurora Leigh and The Lady in the Looking-Glass

    719 Words  | 2 Pages

    Women of both the ages of Victorian and early Modernism were restricted from education at universities or the financial independence of professionalism. In both ages, women writers often rebelled against perceived female expectations as a result of their oppression. To lead a solitary life as a subservient wife and mother was not satisfactory for writers like Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Virginia Woolf. One of the most popular female poets of the Victorian era, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, illustrated "a woman's struggle to achieve artistic and economical independence in modern society" (Longman P.1858). Many Victorian critics were shocked by Barrett Browning's female rebellion, which was rare for the era. With her autobiographical epic poem, Aurora Leigh provoked critics who were "scandalized by its radical revision of Victorian ideals of femininity" (P.1859). In the age of Modernism, women were finally given the some rights to a higher education and professionalism i n 1928 (p.2175). However, female poets of early Modernism, such as Virginia Woolf, were raised in the Victorian age. Rebellion toward "Victorian sexual norms and gender roles" (P.2175) are reflected in Woolf's modern literary piece, such as The Lady in the Looking-Glass: A Reflection. Also echoed in the piece, is how Woolf  "never lost the keen sense of anguish nor the self-doubt occasioned by the closed doors of the academy to women" (P.2445).

    Read More

  • The Ethics of Jane Austen's Heroines

    2689 Words  | 6 Pages

    The parallel of Anne's growth as a compassionate woman, to Austen's growth as a compassionate writer is felt immensely by the reader. To value virtue over vanity, cultural and class diversity over conformity is to be free from the narrow confines of the ignorant mind. This is ultimately Austen's powerful message.

    Read More

  • Analyzing Paul Revere's Portrait

    351 Words  | 1 Pages

    Paul Revere is Copley’s only finished portrait of an artisan dressed in shirtsleeves and shown at work. Revere is shown half length, seated behind a highly polished table, and casually attired. He cradles his chin in his right hand and regards the viewer as if he has just looked up from the teapot in his left hand; the pot is finished but remains undecorated, and the engraving tools at Revere’s elbow attest to the work yet to come. When Copley painted Revere’s portrait, his sitter was an accomplished, well-established silversmith and master of the rococo style, both in engraving and in three dimensional hollow ware such as teapot. He completed the Sons of Liberty Bowl , now considered one of the United States’ most cherished historical treasures,

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Pascal Dagnan Bouveret's La Noce Chez Le Photographe

    1130 Words  | 3 Pages

    There was once a young girl with hair black as night and skin white as porcelain. She stared at her reflection taking in her extravagant white dress and the long veil trailing behind her. It is her wedding day and she is off to take her wedding photos. This is supposed to be the happiest day of her life and yet she cannot help but flinch as she takes hold of her soon to be husbands arm. She glances up at her indifferent finance and directs a forced smile at the photographer's camera.

    Read More

  • Jeannie: Painting Analysis

    472 Words  | 1 Pages

    This process is unquestionably different from natural tanning of skin nevertheless the effect obtained may be the same. Compromise is involved when it comes to costume use. What you ought not do when cleaning your abstract canvas art is usually to spray it with water or with chemical cleaners. But when she produced surprisingly beautiful paintings, individuals were shocked. My makeup brushes and sponges have been so hard to clean.

    Read More

  • Edna Pontellier and Elizabeth Bennet: Challenge of 19th Century Conventional Methods

    1359 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...es for love and overcame the social expectations of the quintessential woman in the nineteenth century; whereas their counterparts around them would have chosen class and wealth. Edna Pontellier’s decision to move into her pigeon house and away from her husband’s rule and the vexing job of caring for her children was viewed as societal suicide, but to her liberation and self-actualization as a woman was more important. Elizabeth Bennet ultimately disregarded her mother’s wishes, and passed over Mr. Collins, she initially disregarded Mr. Darcy as a possible suitor but love proved otherwise. These women were on a path of destruction to free themselves from a long reign of oppression, their challenge of conventional methods within the nineteenth century, proved successful not only to them, but for a future collective group of women who would follow in their footsteps.

    Read More

  • New England Nun Analysis

    446 Words  | 1 Pages

    Louisa Ellis can be viewed in two different ways. For one, she can be seen as a feministic hero who feels she is better off without a husband. For second, she can be viewed as a selfless person. There is evidence that this story takes place in a different time. A time where women did not have the right to vote, or to sustain themselves. By examining the clues throughout the story, one can say the story takes place in the late 1800’s. Some of the clues are revealed when the narrator points out certain things which are unusual to today’s world. For example, the narrator says, “she lighted her lamp” (). This story takes place in a time when were women counted on their husbands for financial support and protecting. When the reader knows this, the reader can come to the conclusion that Louisa Ellis was not so much a feminist, but instead was a selfless woman who worked for “the greater good”.

    Read More

  • Caroline Binley As A Foil To Elizabeth Essay

    406 Words  | 1 Pages

    Using Caroline Bingley as a foil to Elizabeth, Austen critiques the aspirations and achievements that are traditionally considered to be of value to women. Caroline’s outlook regarding what makes women accomplished finds resonance with James Fordyce’s Sermons to Young Women (1766). These stereotypical regency-era ideals encourage ‘instruction in the fine arts’ (Fordyce, 127), including the study of embroidery, drawing, music and dance and completely discount the value of academic achievements. In contrast, Elizabeth is deeply interested in intellectual pursuits yet has not received a typical female education with ‘steady and regular instruction’ (Austen, 161) administered by a governess. Although Austen contrasts these two methods of education,

    Read More

  • Isabel's Pursuit Of Happiness In The Awakening

    693 Words  | 2 Pages

    The fact that she could relate to the experiences listed above makes her seem as if she is capable of acheiving the impossible. However, the loss of Ruth had compelled her to be forlon with an impression of despair. However, this tone changed when Isabel comes into aquaintance with literary material of great value. This occurs while Isabel is retreiving a selection of materials requested by Lady Seymour. While doing so, she is driven to grab a book from the sheves. The manager notices her actions, as well as her scar, and recognized her immediately. Her actions toward the prisoners at Bridewell made her a known character in the community. Because of this, she is admired by many-including the manager. He then grants her a copy of “Common Sense”: a patriotic pamphlet declaring the value of America’s Independence. While reading over this pamphlet, Isabel is overcome with a sensation of

    Read More

  • Art Analysis Of The Painting 'Relax'

    1026 Words  | 3 Pages

    Relax is a poster that is set on the beach. In the background of the painting you see a body of ocean that looks to be in a bay. There are five palm trees in the poster that looks to be swaying into the wind. Hooked onto two of the palm trees is a hammock. Below the hammock where the palm trees are embedded into the ground is sand, as if you are on a beach. The poster is in black and white. Below the painting on the poster is the saying “The poor long for riches. The rich long for heaven, But the wise desire tranquility.” There are no clouds in the sky so even though it is in black and white it seems to be a clear and sunny day. In the right corner of the painting on the poster there is a pier that is going out into the ocean. On the pier there is a light post hanging over

    Read More

  • analysis on portrait of a lady

    773 Words  | 2 Pages

    In ''Portrait of a Lady" music becomes one of the factors of attachment. Part one is beginning with contemptuous allusions to "the latest Pole" who broadcasts "the Preludes, through his hair and finger-tips." The dialogue of the piano performance of Chopin, "so intimate," transforms to "attenuated tones of violins" and "remote cornets" as the lady speaks. When the poem goes back to the voice of the man, those noises have been changed to flat "windings of the violins" and "cracked cornets." These not so positive attributes go on as he explains his ideas in the musical metaphors of a "dull tom-tom," "Absurdly hammering a prelude," "Capricious monotone," show the woman's voice has the displeasing, "out-of-tune," resemblance of a "broken violin." Eliot repeats "always”, “sure” and “feelings” to render this urge. As well as the "street piano," like the man's self-worth, is "mechanical and tired," it is no longer authentic, it will solely repeat "some worn-out common song." Eventually the music finishes, it ends with a "dying fall."

    Read More

  • A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man - The Powerful Female

    1069 Words  | 3 Pages

    One of the most powerful nuances of any writing is the dialogue within the story. In literature, it is all too often that characters live only in the jaded voice of the author and never truly develop as their own, or are not strongly opinionated in a manner which contrasts the opinions of the writer. It is also unfortunately true that the women depicted in most male-authored literature do not often sound realistic, or how most women one would speak to in the course of the day tend to sound. All too often, women are depicted on a lower level of speech than men. For instance, Dickens and Arthur Miller both apparently subscribed to this notion, as the women in their stories were usually more passive, and not as elaborate as men in their speech, however, James Joyce did not see things in the same light. The most developed female character in Joyces A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, is one who speaks with dignity, passion, and the female tact which is all too often ignored in the characters of women. Joyce's Dante Riordan's words and thoughts are true to those of literate twentieth century women.

    Read More

More about Analysis Of The Portrait Of A Lady

Open Document