Rebellion Against Male-Dominated Society by Isabel Archer in The Portrait of a Lady

Abstract

In this research, an attempt has been made to analyze James's masterpieceThe Portrait of a Ladyvia the feminist discourse. Transplanted to Europe from her native America, Isabel Archer, the protagonist of the novel, has candour, beauty, intelligence, an independent spirit and a marked enthusiasm for life. Principally concerned with the question of freedom the novel also explores the issues of woman's situation in the society. Woman is trapped by the discourse which society has created. Isabel is not judged by the male characters of the novel for her intelligent, her creative mind and studious behaviour. Her personality is threatened by male aggression, even in the form of a proposal. The freedom, she seeks, is cracked by the society. But she keeps on revolting.