The Portrait of a Lady

The Portrait of a Lady (1881), from Henry James's early period, narrates the story of a young American woman, Isabel, who inherits a handsome amount of money. Coming to Europe, she is deserted by her compatriots and unhesitatingly turns down two of her suitors. She is attracted to a vicious man. Depicting the contrast between the European and American cultures, the novel also explores themes of responsibility, betrayal, and sexuality.