Henry James and The Portrait of a Lady

Henry James' unique version of realism is never more evident than in The Portrait of a Lady. He followed traditional realism in that his characters remained true to their identity regardless of the situation, but James diverged from realism in that the world where his characters lived had nothing to do with real life. This paper will explore James' view of realism as contained in this work.

The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James reflects the influences and techniques advocated by James' friends and intimates, Ivan Turgenev and William Cooper Howells. These writers were very much products of their age, an age where morality and realism collided. The story of Isabel Archer, the heroine of James's novel, provides an example of the authors' similarities and disparities.

Henry James built a story by "reconstructing its steps and stages" (James 5). James and Turgenev both used the concept of the "germ," a technique of taking the protaganist and carving, polishing, and then perfecting the gem in the rough. Each new character and dramatic situation peeled another layer of the onion, revealing more and more. Similarly, as Leon Edel notes in his introduction to The Portrait of a Lady, "Turgenev allowed his stories to evolve from his characters, that is, by providing them with their personal history" (James xv).

James referred to Turgenev in his preface as a "beautiful genius," citing his belief that one should approach writing w

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kiss was like white lightning�she felt each thing in his hard manhood that had least pleased her, each aggressive fact of his face, his figure, his presence, justified of its intense identity and made one with this act of possession" (James 482). Isabel and Caspar are almost committing an act of the highest immorality, at least according to Victorian sensibilities. And yet, Isabel returns to her husband. To do otherwise would be to act as a free and independent woman, which she is not despite her illusions to the contrary. Thus, Isabel remains true to her destiny and character (her realism). Isabel Archer and Gilbert Osmond A central question in The Portrait of a Lady is whether Isabel Archer and Gilbert Osmond ever loved each other. Isabel, as the American innocent who is new to English and European society, is readily seduced by the likes of Madame Merle and her cohort Osmond. By using Isabel and Osmond as moral and cultural opposites, Henry James showcases his oft-used theme of American values (the good and virtuous) versus European ones (the evil and decadent). Between these two worlds could Isabel and Osmond ever find the spark of true love and respect? Isabel dismissed her American suitor, Caspar Goodwood, bec

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