Henry James Book Report Essay Research Paper

Henry James Book Report Essay, Research Paper

Henry James, book report

Henry James’s The Portrait of a Lady and Edith Wharton’s The House of Mirth examine the societal constraints of their female protagonists, and the limited possibilities open to them in the midst of wealthy society. Isabel Archer and Lily Bart are victims of a rigid society in which the independent lifestyle they desire is only acceptable for women who are either ‘unmarriageable’ or exceedingly wealthy. Despite this commonality, the two characters differ greatly in terms of their goals and the resources at their disposal with which these goals could potentially be accomplished. Lily and Isabel have similar possibilities open to them but a crucial difference between them is that Lily has no personal wealth, while Isabel becomes a very wealthy woman, which opens many new opportunities for her. Lily has fewer possibilities open to her due to her meager income and her insatiable need for excessive luxury, which would need to be sacrificed in order to maintain an independent lifestyle, while Isabel’s wealth give her the option of a lifestyle that is simultaneously independent and luxurious.

Lily and Isabel are both extremely attractive and charming, which cause them to have more than one marriage proposal from wealthy and eligible bachelors. This option would alleviate their financial concerns but would also restrict their personal freedom. Isabel refuses the proposals of Casper Goodwood and Lord Warburton , because she does not want to be someone’s wife even though getting married would give her security and approval of society. Lily, however, actively seeks out potential suitors and uses her beauty to manipulate men and to win the admiration of her peers. To get married is considered a young lady’s duty and Lily is determined to fulfill this duty. As Henrietta points out to Ralf: ‘It’s everyone’s duty to get married ‘(The Portrait of a Lady, 110). She is determined to find a husband and her only criteria seem to be that he be wealthy and socially powerful even if she does not like him. She considers Percy Gryce to be boring and unattractive but knows that the many advantages to ‘marrying rich’ would far outweigh these minor disappointments and she does not see any other option. “It was a hateful fate- but how escape from it. What choice had she.”( The House of Mirth, 24). Isabel is determined not to get married and values her independence and freedom above luxury and social acceptance and her wealth gives her the choice. For Lily luxury is something she simply refuses to live without, and actually considers her survival dependent upon it as the following lines clearly indicate: ‘ Inherited tendencies had combined with early training to make her the highly specialized product that she was: an organism as helpless out of its narrow range as a sea anemone torn from the rock ( The House of Mirth, 289). Lily is aware of her own selfish need for social status and wealth and these needs are satisfied only as long as her wealthy friends provide her with a life of ease and merriment. Once she is ostracized from the wealthy society that she had so long been embraced by, marriage or poverty seem to be her only remaining options. Isabel is also expected to find herself a rich husband but once she inherits a fortune from her uncle her situation immediately alters. She now has the option to remain unmarried and still be wealthy but Lily does not have this advantage.

The possibility of remaining unmarried and independent is not a realistic option for Lily because she has neither the financial resources to care for herself nor the financial support of family and friends once they turn their back on her. Isabel has both of these advantages as well as the love and respect of her family and friends. Sadly, to many of the people in her life Lily is merely a decorative object whose beauty and charm make her a valuable asset to them: ‘ She felt herself of no more account among them than an expensive toy in the hands of a spoiled child ( The House of Mirth, 231). She is not entirely blameless though for she allows them to treat her this way and considers this treatment to be worth the benefits.

An obvious indication of the contrast between these two characters is how differently each of them define ’success.’ When asked for her definition of success Lily replies: ‘Why to get as much as one can out of life, I suppose. It’s a relative quality after all’ (The House of Mirth, 64). Lily regards success in terms of how much material wealth and pleasure one is able to get out of life. Isabel’s definition of success is far more idealistic and not as selfish: “It’s to see some dream of one’s youth come true” (The Portrait of a Lady ,222). These contrasting points of view demonstrate the different goals in life which each of them strive for. Lily’s ’success’ relies upon the marriage to a wealthy man, which would allow her to fulfill her lavish tastes and her desire for increased social status. For Isabel success is more simplistic and rings of youthful idealism and one’s ability to accomplish specific aspirations. Seldon’s definition of success is ‘personal freedom’ which he, as a man, can easily acquire and maintain. Because he is a man he is not under the obligation to find a wife. Lily recognizes the distinction: ‘Ah, theres the difference- a girl must, a man may if he chooses’ (The House of Mirth ,10).