| dc.description.abstract | This thesis aims to analyze how Isabel Archer forms herself as the “fortune-hunter” in The Portrait of a Lady. The “fortune-hunter,” which means the controller of her destiny, is shaped by her interaction with the outside world. The incidents happening in the outside world are the major forces in the process of her formation. Thus, I will categorize these external forces into three groups and discuss them respectively in each chapter.
In Chapter II, I will study the intersection of American and European cultures by investigating the differences between them. In addition, I will also discuss why Henry James is concerned about the relationship between America and Europe. By looking at these facets, we may have a clear understanding of Isabel’s changes as well as James’s intention of displaying international themes in The Portrait of a Lady.
In Chapter III, I would like to analyze Isabel’s modulations of the differences between tradition and modernity. These differences are presented in her interaction with other characters. Significantly, swinging between tradition and modernity, Isabel does not stick to certain concepts in both sides; rather, she shows her flexibility.
As well as differences between cultures or tradition and modernity, time and space, which will be defined more clearly in Chapter IV, are also major forces from the outside world. In this section, I will not only focus on how time and space influence Isabel’s formation but also on James skills of writing and narration.
Finally, the conclusion reiterates the subject of this thesis: Isabel is a fortune-hunter in her own life. It gives readers a positive view of this novel, which is different from regarding Isabel’s life as a tragedy. Moreover, by scrutinizing the external forces, readers will have a new perspective, which will contribute to the reading of the novel as a whole.
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