The Growth Of Isabel Archer

Henry James is generally acknowledged as one of the greatest American novelists and critics. The Portrait of a Lady, as one of his well-known works, is interpreted as an initiation story. The focus of the study is the growth of Isabel Archer concerning her marriage.The paper uses the specific literary genre:"initiation story" to analyze The Portrait of a Lady and the elements of initiation stories are applied to trace the track of Isabel's maturity. The psychological growth is composed of three stages:innocence, experience and maturity at last.The innocence of Isabel is reflected from her innocent character and innocent outlook of marriage. Then Isabel experiences realistic marriage with Gilbert Osmond and makes compromise on marriage. Finally she is experienced enough to see a spirit. Her development of a "ghost sense" reflects her perception of the external world and her increasing awareness of herself as a mature person. The growth of Isabel Archer illuminates the initiation of American New Woman and the experiencer of international conflict and integration.It draws the conclusion that Isabel's growth has close relationship with her marriage. Through her marriage, she grows into a mature lady.