Abstract:The Portrait of a Lady is a representative work of a famous American writer Henry   James. In the novel, the author suggests Isabel’s inevitable tragedy by the layers of bedding, related characters and plots. 

         This thesis attempts to analyze Isabel’s characters and tragic fate，discussing the contradictions and features of the characters in Henry James’s psychological realism literary works. The purpose is to deepen understanding of the heroine Isabel in The Portrait of a Lady. This thesis is divided into three parts. The first part is to explore Isabel’s tragedy from Isabel’s independence, illusion and inconsistency. The second part analyzes Isabel’s tragedy from social environment. Women are still bounded by traditional concept and social values in the patriarchal society. The third part is to analyze Isabel’s marriage tragedy specifically. She refused the Goodwood’s and Lord Warburton’s proposal but to accept Osmond’s proposal, which satisfied her desire of seeking freedom. After marriage, she found that Osmond is a hypocrite. As a result, her freedom is suppressed. Finally, Isabel decided to return to the loveless marriage, with a new concept of freedom to enjoy life.

Key words: Henry James; The Portrait of a Lady; external causes; internal causes; tragic marriage

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction...1

1.1 A Brief Introduction to the Author

1.2 Literature Review

2.Internal Causesfor Isabel’s Tragedy.2

2.1ThePersonalityofIsabel

2.1.1Isabel’s Independence

2.1.2Isabel’s Illusion

2.1.3Isabel’s Inconsistency

3.External Causesfor Isabel’s Tragedy..5

3.1 The Time Isabel Lived in

3.2 A Great Deal of Heritage

4. Isabel’s Tragic Marriage..7

  4.1Isabel’s Refuse to Her Suitors

  4.2Isabel’s Struggle in the Marriage

  4.3Isabel’s Return to Her Loveless Marriage

5. Conclusion..9

Bibliography...11

Acknowledgements.12