No Subject

[Mary Springfield]

I just finished reading this book and I think it is one of the best books I have ever read. <br> Several people have commented that there were too many characters. I don't think there were too many characters for a book of that length, and each one was so distinct that it is no trouble to keep them straight. <br> Isabel, the main character, was a bit frustrating, because every time she had a decision to make, she made the wrong one. She meant well, but she was too conceited and independent. Probably my favorite character was Ralph. In spite of his illness and early death, he led a happy and productive life. <br> Neither of these characters' lives had a completely happy ending , but that makes them realistic. They were interesting, lovable, and human, and some of the best and most complete characters in literature. The book has subtle wit and psychological depth, and the vocabulary is large without being cumbersome. I recommend it if you are looking for a long and involved story that gives you a lot to think about.

[Rois]

I also really liked this book however I have to differ with you on the point of Isabel's character, I can not condemn her as conceited nor find fault with her independence. Though in the beginning of the book Henry James describes her as a person who often thinks well of herself and indeed someone who had difficulty finding wrong in her actions I take this as a sign of her humanity rather than conceit. As the book goes on her character develops and I feel that the reader has a chance to see her depth of feeling and strength. When we meet her again after she has been married for four years she does not blame anyone but herself and indeed instead of complaining she takes it upon her self to suffer in silence. Though this in itself can be seen as a fault we see in the end of the book the resurrection of the bright and spirited Isabel of earlier years who I feel is going to attempt to sort out the mistakes she has made. Though it is frustrating that she can not see the evil in her husband or the manipulative nature of her friend we must remember that we have the overview and know the dealings of people behind Isabel's back. Without this information or the ability to form an objective view we might have made the same mistakes. Overall I see Isabel as refreshing, she is a heroin that is above all believable and real something that is not frequent in modern literature or the classics. It is because of this that I found The portrait of a Lady such an enjoyable book.

[cjw1]

One of the pleasures of the book is its openness to interpretation. To my mind Isabel most definitely is conceited and arrogant, but James has been very clever in his portrait. He gives very few clues as to Isabel's 'real' state of mind - he'll frequently cloud any apparently direct insights into her state of mind with (and I'm paraphrasing not quoting directly) 'the reader might think ...' or 'we could perhaps judge from her behaviour that ...'. James has indeed painted a portrait of Isabel - and with any portrait, to a degree, the viewer sees what they want to see. I see a conceited and arrogant Isabel because I bring my interpretation to James's canvas. Clever stuff - but, as Mary says - frustrating!