Isabel’s Growth and Metamorphosis: The Spatial Narrative in The Portrait of a Lady

Abstract

As one of Henry James’ best-selling novels, The Portrait of a Lady is also considered one of his most successful works. According to “The Third Space” proposed by Edward Suja, Isabel’s movements in the novel is not only the background of the article but also influences the characterization of her. The author reveals the conflict between European and American cultures through the depiction of Isabel’s choice of marriage, reflecting James’ desire to pursue cross-cultural conflict, and the third space in which Isabel is situated also demonstrates her growth from a naive girl to a mature woman, and ultimately realizes her self-identity.