Novel Approaches: ‘The Portrait of a Lady’ by Henry James

Oct 5, 2025

Colm Toíbín, a celebrated novelist and contributing editor at the London Review of Books, joins to explore Henry James's iconic work, The Portrait of a Lady. They delve into how James innovatively crafted Isabel Archer as a new type of heroine, blending influences from Eliot and Austen. The discussion reveals the significance of the novel's subtle yet profound inner drama, the complexities of ambition for women in the 19th century, and the impact of James's revisions on the story. Toíbín's insights provide a fresh lens on this literary masterpiece.

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insights

INSIGHT

From Short Stories To a New Kind Of Heroine

James reused and enlarged a familiar heroine configuration from his earlier work into a new, deeper figure.
Isabel Archer becomes a novelistic experiment in an interior life richer than his earlier heroines.

insights

INSIGHT

Isabel As Spiritual Seeker

James imagined an American woman who wanted a spiritual, unnameable fulfillment rather than mere social advancement.
He crafted Isabel's 'flickering, shimmering' consciousness to dramatize that modern desire.

insights

INSIGHT

Mysterious Interior, Bitter Knowledge

James intentionally makes Isabel's inner life hard to pin down to keep her fascinating and mysterious.
Her eventual knowledge is 'bitter knowledge' that marks a painful growth across the novel.

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Where Portrait of a Lady Fits in James's Career

01:20 • 2min

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James's Inspiration for Isabel Archer

03:18 • 2min

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James, George Eliot, and Female Ambition

05:24 • 3min

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What Is the Plot of The Portrait of a Lady?

"Daisy Miller" by Henry James tells the story of a young, independent American girl who travels to Europe and challenges the social conventions of the time. Daisy's innocent and uninhibited behavior clashes with the rigid norms of European society, leading to misunderstandings and ultimately, tragedy. The novella explores themes of cultural differences, social expectations, and the consequences of nonconformity. James masterfully portrays the clash between American spontaneity and European formality through the experiences of Daisy Miller. Her encounters with Winterbourne, an American expatriate, highlight the complexities of cultural identity and the challenges of navigating different social landscapes.

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Daniel Deronda

George Eliot

Published in 1876, 'Daniel Deronda' is George Eliot's final novel and a thought-provoking exploration of love, identity, and society. The story follows the lives of Gwendolen Harleth, a beautiful but spoiled and selfish young woman, and Daniel Deronda, a selfless and alienated man searching for his true origins. The novel delves into the complexities of Victorian society, including imperialism, the oppression of women, and racial and religious prejudice. Daniel's journey leads him to discover his Jewish heritage and become deeply involved in the nascent Zionist cause, while Gwendolen navigates a troubled marriage and seeks redemption. The novel is notable for its sympathetic portrayal of Jewish culture and its critique of antisemitism, making it a radical and controversial work in its time.

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Phineas Finn

Anthony Trollope

'Phineas Finn' is a political novel by Anthony Trollope, part of the Palliser series, which follows the career of a young Irishman in British Parliament. The novel explores themes of ambition, social mobility, and the challenges of maintaining integrity in the corrupt world of politics. Phineas's charm and intelligence allow him to navigate the complex social landscape of London, but he faces numerous moral dilemmas. The story delves into the personal lives of politicians, revealing their vulnerabilities and the compromises they make to advance their careers. Trollope's detailed portrayal of parliamentary life and his nuanced characters make 'Phineas Finn' a compelling exploration of Victorian society and politics.

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Washington Square

Henry James

'Washington Square' tells the story of Catherine Sloper, a plain and unassuming young woman living in 19th-century New York City. Catherine is dominated by her brilliant but emotionally distant father, Dr. Sloper, who sees her as lacking intelligence and charm. When a handsome and fortune-hunting Morris Townsend appears, Catherine falls deeply in love, but her father suspects Morris's motives and opposes the match. The novel explores themes of inheritance, social expectations, and the power dynamics within families, portraying Catherine's struggle for independence and self-worth in a society that values wealth and status.

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C. P. Snow

The novel follows the contest for the Mastership of a Cambridge college as the old Master dies of cancer. The two main candidates are Paul Jago and Crawford, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The narrative, told through the eyes of Lewis Eliot, delves into the politics and personal issues of the college's faculty, providing a meticulous study of power dynamics in an academic setting during post-war Britain.

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Middlemarch

George Eliot

Middlemarch, written by George Eliot, is a novel that delves into the complexities of provincial life in 19th-century England. The story revolves around the intersecting lives of its characters, particularly Dorothea Brooke and Dr. Tertius Lydgate, as they navigate marriage, vocation, and social class. Eliot critiques the conventional romance narratives of her time by portraying marriage as a complex and often problematic institution. The novel also explores themes of idealism, self-interest, hypocrisy, and the constraints on women's lives. Set in the fictional town of Middlemarch between 1829 and 1832, the novel incorporates historical events such as the Great Reform Act of 1832 and early developments in medicine. Eliot's realistic portrayal of ordinary human life, with its quiet tragedies and small triumphs, has made 'Middlemarch' a masterpiece of English literature.

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Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen

Published in 1813, 'Pride and Prejudice' is a novel that revolves around the lives of the Bennet family, particularly the second eldest daughter, Elizabeth. The story is set in the early 19th century and explores themes of love, societal expectations, and personal growth. The novel centers on Elizabeth's tumultuous relationship with the wealthy and proud Mr. Darcy, whose initial arrogance and reserve gradually give way to a deeper understanding and mutual respect. Through their interactions, both characters learn to overcome their prejudices and flaws, leading to a transformative journey of self-discovery and redemption. The novel also delves into the societal pressures on women to secure marriages, the importance of family, and the nuances of social hierarchy during the British Regency period.

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The Portrait Of A Lady

Henry James

The novel follows Isabel Archer, a young American woman who inherits a fortune and travels to Europe. There, she rejects several marriage proposals, including those from Lord Warburton and Caspar Goodwood, in favor of maintaining her independence. However, she is manipulated by Madame Merle and Gilbert Osmond into a marriage that proves disastrous. Osmond, a collector of art objects, sees Isabel as another piece to add to his collection, and their marriage is marked by his cold and manipulative nature. The novel explores themes of personal freedom, responsibility, and the complexities of human relationships.

In The Portrait of a Lady, Henry James borrows from Eliot, Austen, folktales and potboilers, but ‘the thing that he took from nowhere was Isabel Archer’. James transformed the 19th-century novel through his evocation of Isabel, a woman who wants and suffers in a profoundly new (and American) way.

Deborah Friedell and Colm Toíbín join Tom to discuss the novel that established Henry James as ‘the Master’. They dissect James’s and his characters’ complicated motivations, the significance of his 1905-6 revisions, and the ways in which a ‘primitive plot’ irrupts in a painstakingly subtle and stylish novel.

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Further reading in the LRB:

Colm Toíbín on Henry James:

⁠https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v30/n01/colm-toibin/a-man-with-my-trouble⁠

Ruth Bernard Yeazell on Henry James’s life and notebooks:

⁠https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v10/n01/ruth-bernard-yeazell/the-henry-james-show⁠

James Wood on The Portrait of a Lady:

⁠https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v34/n19/james-wood/perfuming-the-money-issue⁠

Next time on Novel Approaches: 'Kidnapped!' by Robert Louis Stevenson.

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