Parnassushome

Reading and Responding to Literature Period: 1860 - 1899

If Junior Project book which: 2 (1-8) Submittal Date: November 25, 2004

Bibliographic Entry

James, Henry. The Portrait of a Lady. New York: Quality Paperback Book Club, 1996.

What is the Subject of the Novel?
The subject of the novel is about the life of a young American woman who becomes and heiress and her struggles with trying to maintain her independence and freedom. She is faced with trials of suitors, marriage, and social constraints.

Find and state (in the author's words) a "defining" passage, one which best summarizes the direction of the novel-its theme.
" I am not in my first youth- I can do what I choose-I belong quite to the independent class. I have neither father nor mother; I am poor; …I therefore am not bound to be timid and conventional … Besides, I try to judge thing for myself; … I wish to choose my fate and know something of human affairs beyond what other people think it compatible with propriety to tell me." (said Isabel Archer)

Paraphrase this passage (in your own words):
I am not in the early years of my youth- I can do whatever I want- I belong to an independent class. I do not have a father or a mother; I am poor; ... so I am not bound to be timid or traditional... Beside, I try to judge things for myself.. I want to choose my own fate and learn something more about human affairs than what other people think is compatible to tell me.

Paraphrase three subsidiary, supporting ideas, images or symbols using complete
sentences.
1. The idea of losing her liberty was disagreeable to Isabel at the moment because she has just made a point about her independence by refusing to marry Lord Warburton.

2. If Isabel has an income she will never have to get marry to support herself. She wishes to be free and if you give her an inheritance it will keep her free.

3. An unmarried woman is not independent. She can not do what she wants in life. She is hampered in every step.

Make a list of and name the characters you have found in the essay, supply a
characterizing quotation and tell why you think the author used the character.
Character's Name
Quote the text!
Why used?

1. Isabel Archer
"I like my liberty too much. If there is a thing in the world that I am fond of ... it is my personal independence."

Isabel Archer is the protagonist in the novel. She is the central concern in the novel. The author uses Isabel Archer to illustrate an independent woman in the late nineteenth century. The ideal women during that time were obedient, charming, and submissive. Isabel's character is opposite of the ideal woman, she is instead imaginative and independent. Because of her independence, Isabel faces problems dealing with the constraints of social convention.

2. Ralph Touchett
" Tall, lean, loosely and feebly put together, he had an ugly, sickly, witty, charming face- furnished, but by no means decorated, with a straggling moustache and whisker. He looked clever and ill-a combination by no means felicitous; and he wore a brown velvet jacket. "

Ralph Touchett is Isabel Archer's cousin. He is used by the author as a confidant of Isabel and a driving force of the events happening to Isabel and the development of her character. Ralph Touchett is the instrumental force of placing a large fortune at Isabel's disposal which leads to her being a prisoner and her downfall. His function as a confidant of Isabel gives the reader a more rounded view of the situations in the novel. He is a listener and an advisor of Isabel. Isabel reveals her innermost thoughts to Ralph Touchett giving the reader insight on the thoughts of Isabel.

3. Gilbert Osmond
" He has a great dread of vulgarity; that's his special line; he hasn't any other that I know of. He lives on his income, ... He's a poor gentleman-that's what he calls himself. He married young and lost his wife, and I believe he has a daughter."

Gilbert Osmond is Isabel Archer's husband. The author uses Gilbert Osmond as an antagonist in the novel. Gilbert's character tries to suppress the independence and imagination of Isabel and compels her to be submissive. He tries to suppress her independent mind and treats her like an object. He represents some of the men during this time who married a woman for her money.

4. Madame Merle
"Madame Merle was a tall, fair, plump woman; everything in her person was round and replete, though without those accumulations which minister to indolence. Her features were thick, but there was a graceful harmony among them, and her complexion had a healthy clearness."

Madame Merle is the former lover of Gilbert Osmond and appears to be a friend of Isabel Archer. She is an antagonist in the novel also. The author uses her character to produce adversaries for Isabel Archer. Madame Merle appears to be a friendly person but behind her mask she is an odious and corrupted person. She plots with Gilbert Osmond to get Isabel married to him.

Summarize the plot, noting the complications, climax or crisis and resolution of the
piece:
This book is about a young woman named Isabel Archer who becomes an heiress when her uncle dies. She struggles with trying to maintain her independence and fighting the constraints of society. She turns down suitors for fear of losing her independence by finally marries Gilbert Osmond. During her marriage she believes that her husband loves her and that she is still independent but she soon learns the truth that her husband had married her for her money. Isabel finally defies her husband to go see her dying cousin but at the end she returns back to her husband.

Explain your view on the issues raised in the book. Do you agree, disagree or partially agree with the author? Give at lease three reasons you believe as you do.
The issue raised in The Portrait of a Lady is the idea of independent women in society. In the novel, Isabel Archer, a young independent American woman, struggles with the conflicts between the individual self and the social conventions because of her independence. During the time setting of the novel, women are seen to be dependent on their men. Isabel Archer is different from these women; she instead is independent in her thoughts and actions. Her desire for independence leads Isabel to refuse two marriage proposals for fear of losing her liberty when she is married. I agree with the author that being independent is important. It is important to be independent because one does not always want to depend on others for things. When a person always relies on someone for food, money, or clothes, he will never want to make a living of his own to pay for these items. He will develop a dependence on others to support himself. Part of growing up is to become independent from parents and create new independent and productive lives of our own. For a woman who is dependent on her husband for money support, she will be afraid to leave her husband if he becomes abusive or controlling. An independent woman will not be afraid to leave her husband and find ways of supporting herself even when she is divorced. Being independent is also important because people want to be free to formulate their own opinions about things instead of relying and believing in what others tell them. In the novel, the majority of women at the time depended on what their husbands or fathers said about society and the government. These women did not really think for themselves. They may have had an opinion of their own but they never express it out loud or just pushed it to one side. Women should not always depend on their husbands and fathers ideas of society. They should have independent minds and form their own thoughts about the world. If their husbands or fathers die, who will these women turn to about the world if they are not independent? Another reason why independence is important because people do not want to be pushed around by others. When a person is independent, he will have a steady and strong stand in society. He will not be pushed by people to comply with this thing or that thing. He will be able to say that he agrees with this issue and not the other. Opposite of the independent person, the dependent person will not have a strong position. He is easily persuade to one side and then to the other. He does not think for himself and make his own position on issues. It will be easier to suppress the dependent population then an independent population.

Another issue raised in this book is the notion that women are objects. In the novel, Gilbert Osmond treats Isabel Archer as an object along with his collection of art pieces. I disagree wit the idea that women are objects. I do not think that women are just trophy wives for men; they do not just stand around looking pretty all day. I think women have many things to contribute to this world. For thousands of years women have been behind scenes of major decision making. For example, wives have influenced their husbands in many countries to make decisions in the governments. Today there are women senators and representatives in the U.S. government helping to pass laws that effect the nation. When I hear women being objects, it gives me the impression that women do not have a mind of their own like they are robots to serve the needs of the male population. I disagree with this; I think women are very opinionated and their thoughts are worth listening to. Women have great minds like men. For example, there are women who won the noble peace prize in science and literature. They are as smart and talented as males. Women should not be treated as objects because they are as equal as their male partners. Women can do anything males can do. They can be senators, doctors, policemen, and even presidents. Referring to women as objects is an unfair description because women are not dolls for people to look at. They have brains and talents just like males.

Name your Junior Project theme: Women Depicted in Literature

How does this book express your Junior Project theme?
This book expresses my Junior Project theme because it gives a perception of the role of women in society during the nineteenth century. The ideal image of a woman during that time was being obedient, innocent, and submissive. Isabel Archer is opposite of the ideal woman; she is instead imaginative, independent, and has many idea. Isabel Archer refuses to live to the image of the ideal woman. She refuses two proposals of marriage because she believes that they will hinder her freedom and independence. Isabel Archer battles independent spirit and the demands of social convention.

List the other Junior Project books and authors you have read on this theme:
1.The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne.
2. The Portrait of a Lady, Henry James.
3. ____________________________, _______________________.
4. ____________________________, _______________________.
5. ____________________________, _______________________.
6. ____________________________, _______________________.
7. ____________________________, _______________________.

In a discussion of at least 300 words - one page typewritten - explain how the theme you have selected appears in the book you have read tracing at least three threads of characterization, setting, plot devices, diction, style, symbols, or doctrine and philosophy.

As you read addition books, add to this discussion which, in consequence, will grow each time you report. Write fully developed paragraphs and you should write more, as much as possible. Feel free to amend and edit previous writing as you go along.

What should you discuss? Discuss the threads you choose each time, for instance the female characters, how they view themselves, how they view their loves, how they are treated and seen by others. What is the societal view of outsiders, another example, how do they tend to act when alone, what is their self-image? You should also consider adding historical detail to illustrate WHY characters act as they do during the time period in which the book is written, and to explain why what happens does, indeed, happen.

Remember, this is your prewrite and preliminary investigation for your Junior Paper which will be written in June. Make your later life easy by working, researching, reading and writing fully now while the book is fresh in your memory.

JP 2- The Portrait of a Lady By Henry James

The theme of this novel is independence. This theme of independence is conveyed through the symbols Henry James uses. One major symbol James uses is Isabel Archer. Isabel Archer symbolizes the independent woman during the nineteenth century. She represents the minority of the privilege women who are able to be free in their thoughts and decision. The story is centered on Isabel Archer, the trials she faces in life, and her development as the story goes. James introduces Isabel as a charming young independent woman with a great imagination. Her cousin, Ralph Touchett believes that in order for Isabel to realize her great imagination, she must be financially independent. When her uncle dies, he leaves Isabel with a large inheritance. With this money, Isabel is able to travel, be free to let her imagination soar, and keep her independence. This idea of wealth reflects the fact that women can only be independent in the society which Isabel lives in is by having money. A poor woman can not truly be independent because she is oppress by having to work hard to support herself and her family. The wealth not only freed Isabel for part of her life but it also led to her downfall. When Isabel became rich, she was courted by Gilbert Osmond and they eventually got married. Gilbert Osmond married Isabel for her money and not because she was independent. Gilbert Osmond in fact worked to break Isabel's free and independent spirit, which as a great quality to her character. As being Mrs. Osmond, Isabel symbolizes a trophy wife and an object to Gilbert Osmond. Isabel is a trophy wife because she is compel to conform to all of Gilbert Osmond's desires and wishes. Gilbert treats Isabel as an object along with his collection of art. He looks at her appearance more than her character. Isabel represents the wealthy women men want to marry to add to their own wealth. Gilbert Osmond represents the men who seek a fortune by marrying a wealthy woman.

The author also conveys the theme though the style he writes in. James structures the novel with a center focus which is Isabel Archer developing freely to her own capacity through her independence. With this in mind, James begins the novel with a situation and a character and then observes the characters as he writes and introduces new situations to the characters. The situations are all aimed at the central idea; the situations illuminate the center highlighting parts of it. The situations are discusses by the characters such as when Isabel is engaged to Gilbert Osmond. Isabel discusses her engagement with her aunt, Mrs. Touchett and then discusses it with her cousin, Ralph. Mrs. Touchett disapproves of Isabel's marriage to Gilbert Osmond and blames Madame Merle as being the villain behind the whole marriage proposal. "You mean that your attractions were sufficient, without the gentleman being urged? You are quite right. They are immense, your attractions, and he would never have presumed to think of you if she [Madame Merle] had not put him up to it. He has a very good opinion of himself, but he was not a man to take trouble. Madame Merle took the trouble for him. Isabel's aunt has a clear view of Gilbert Osmond intention of marrying Isabel, but Isabel is blinded by her love for him. Isabel denies that Madame Merle had anything to do with her wanting and Gilbert wanting to marry her. Later in the story, Isabel discusses her engagement with her cousin Ralph. Ralph also disapproves of Isabel's marriage to Gilbert Osmond. Ralph believes that Isabel could marry someone better than Gilbert and that Gilbert had sinister attributes. Isabel ignores Ralph's opinion of Gilbert. She defends Gilbert against what negative thing Ralph says. The situation of the engagement and the marriage plays a part that illuminates the central core of the novel. The marriage to Gilbert Osmond hints at the downfall of Isabel. Gilbert tries to terminate the independent spirit of Isabel and her great imagination. Throughout the front of the novel, Isabel develops into an independent woman through reading and traveling but it is hampered by her marriage to Gilbert Osmond in the later part of the novel.
James writes in an ornate way. He describes in details of situations and event. He does not simply state what is going on by provide many description and imagery of what is going on. For example, in the beginning of the novel, Isabel's uncle sits in the garden and talks with Ralph and Lord Warburton. His uncle receives a telegraph saying that Isabel and her aunt were coming to England. The author gives a description of the surroundings and then incorporates the conversations and actions. " The shadows on the perfect lawn were straight and angular; they were the shadows of an old man sitting in a deep wicker-chair near the low table on which the tea had been served, and of two younger men strolling to and from, in desultory talk, in front of him. The old man had his cup in his hand; it was an unusually large cup, of a different pattern from the rest of the set, and painted in brilliant colours. He disposed of its contents to his chin, with his face turned to the house. His companions had either finished their tea or..." The long description of the surrounding continues for two or three pages and then James would introduce the main actions of the chapter. James develops the situations and events fully and he uses many concrete details.
Another important element in James style is his use of foreshadowing. He uses foreshadowing to hint at later events. In the beginning of the novel, he suggests to the readers that too much independence is not good. It can get people into trouble which is reflected by Isabel when she ignores the advice of others and rely only on her own judgment in marrying Gilbert Osmond. This foreshadows the sufferings of Isabel later in the book with the truth behind her marriage that Gilbert only married her for her money. She suffers her pride for making a big mistake in her life and her lost of independence. Another element James uses is contrasting people and the American and European culture. James contrasts independent women such as Isabel Archer and Henrietta Stackpole and dependent submissive women such as Pansy Osmond. Isabel Archer and Henrietta Stackpole represents the women who are privileged enough to be independent in their traveling and making decisions. Pansy Osmond, Isabel's stepdaughter, represents the majority of women in society who are obedient and submissive to the male population. Pansy Osmond is quiet and does not defy her father. When her father told her to not see or marry Edward Rosier, Pansy conforms to her father's wishes even if it means losing the man she loves. Pansy is afraid of being sent away and cut out of her father's financial support so she dares not to disobey her father. Isabel Archer and Henrietta Stackpole have enough money to support themselves that they do not need to depend on others for support. They are able to do what they desire unlike Pansy Osmond. One major contrast in this book is the American and European culture. James contrasts the American attributes of innocence, spontaneity, natural, and honesty with the Europeans' knowledge and experience, form and ceremony, ritual, artificial, and evil. Isabel Archer represents all the ideas of American culture in the novel and Gilbert Osmond represents the European ideas. Isabel likes to react to any situation according to her own desire. She thinks for herself and do what she believes is right and not what other people tell her. Gilbert is different; he instead takes what others say when he acts and have a certain way of dealing with certain situations. Isabel responds to situations spontaneously. Osmond always calculate the consequences of an action and does not rush things. Isabel represent the innocent and honesty of the Americans because she does not plot for things. She is true to her character and her actions. Osmond is different and he represents the evilness of the Europeans. Osmond plot and deceives Isabel in their marriage. He marries Isabel in the novel because she was wealthy and he wanted her money. He tries to destroy Isabel's qualities of being independent and spontaneous.

Characterization is an important in relating the theme. Isabel Archer views herself as being an independent and proud woman. She wants to be free to explore the world and life without the restraint of social convention placed in her life. She makes her own decisions of things and does not really like to be told that she is wrong. Her sense of pride causes her to stay in her marriage with Gilbert Osmond even if she hates him because she does not want to really admit that she made a mistake. Isabel is very introspective. She thinks about her marriage and events in her mind and examines the different situations. Isabel views her cousin, Ralph Touchett as her confidant. She is able to tell her cousin what she feels and her opinions about things. Her cousin is a great listener and he brings happiness in her life. She can depend on him. Isabel Archer views Madame Merle as a role model at first because Madame Merle was charming and independent. Isabel's opinion of Madame Merle soon changes when she discovers that Madame Merle was the natural mother of Pansy and the person behind Isabel's marriage to Gilbert Osmond. Isabel Archer felt that Gilbert Osmond was the man of her dreams at the beginning but soon detests him when she learns that Gilbert Osmond married her for her money. People around Isabel Archer admired her independence and her imagination. She is treated as an equal in the society of her cousin of wealth. She is treated kindly by her aunt's family. Gilbert Osmond treats Isabel with adoration before that got married but after they got married he treats her like an object.

This novel was a realistic novel because it describes a real life situation during the nineteenth century. During that nineteenth century, most of the independent women were wealthy similar to Isabel Archer. They are able to do must of the things that want and they can be independent. Also since some women are wealthy, men such as Gilbert Osmond often times want to marry them for their money. Women are seen as objects that benefit men. Also another thing that makes this novel realistic is the actions taken by Isabel Archer. The way Isabel Archer acts toward a situation is understandable to the reader such as when she refuses to listen to what other says about Gilbert Osmond. Isabel Archer is in love with him, which blinds her from the bad things he seems to do. Also the characters in the book are true to their nature and perform action the way their type of character will do.

JP 1- The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne

The theme of The Scarlet Letter is adultery. This theme of adultery is conveyed in the symbols Nathaniel Hawthorne uses. One major symbol Hawthorne uses is the scarlet letter "A." The letter "A" symbolizes the sinful crime Hester has committed by having a child with a man that is not her husband. The letter "A" appears several times in the novel: on the chest of Hester, the armed breast plate at Governor Bellingham's mansion, and on the chest of Dimmesdale. At the beginning of the story, the letter "A" represents adultery. It was used to represent the shame Hester has and it was a symbol of identity for Hester. It was also a punishment for her. Near the end of the story the letter "A" changed from "Adultery" to "Able". It was meant able because Hester helped out in the community tending and soothing ill people. She was no longer condemned for her sin but was finally beginning to be accepted by the people again. The letter " A" was also significant to Dimmesdale. It was a constant remainder to him of his guilt for not revealing the truth that he is the father of Hester's illegitimate child. The guilt of adultery plagued Dimmesdale heart for seven years and seeing the letter A on Hester's chest reminds him of his sin. The letter A to Chillingworth served as the objective of his quest for revenge. Chillingworth wishes to take revenge on Dimmesdale for seducing his wife, Hester. The letter reminds him consistently to avenge his wife which drives him from a kind man to a dark, evil man.

Another important symbol used by Hawthorne is Pearl. Pearl is the living manifestation or symbol of Hester's sin. She represents the living version of her mother's scarlet letter, punishing her mother for committing the crime. Pearl is also a blessing for Hester because she is the only person closed to her after the exile she faces in Boston. Her existence wills Hester to live and continue on with life. If Pearl was not there, Hester will be tempted to give up on life. Pearl is also the living version of Hester. She has vital spirit and passion. Pearl is the living torture of Dimmesdale. She continuously pose to Dimmesdale the question of when will he stand with Hester and her on the scaffold. This question causes Dimmesdale to feel more and more guilt for not telling the truth.

The theme of adultery is also conveyed in through the style Hawthorne writes in. Hawthorne writes in a precise and effective style. He does not ornate detail of events and stays simple to the story. He uses a wide range of vocabulary such as using sophisticated words such as exhortation and eldritch. Readers often do not recognize these two words and must look them up in the dictionary. Hawthorne's word choice is precise and effective. They produce a clear precise meaning to what he is saying. Also Hawthorne writes in a formal way. "It contributes greatly towards a man's moral and intellectual health, to be brought into habits of companionship with individuals unlike himself, who care little for his pursuits, whose sphere and abilities he must go out of himself to appreciate." Hawthorne writes on a formal level. There is no colloquialism, slang, and vulgarisms. One major element to Hawthorne's style of writing is his use of metaphors. He uses a myriad of metaphors in his novel, "… something congenial in the soil that had so early borne the black flower of civilized society, a prison…" Hawthorne compares a prison to a black flower that represents bad and evil.

Characterization is also important in relating of the theme. Hester Prynne sees herself as a passionate woman that cannot be married to a person she does not love. She is young and wants to be loved by someone that she also loves. When Hester was faced with the consequences of her adultery she sees herself a hurt and lonely person in the world with no one to turn to for help. She acknowledges her crime and tries to be as modest as possible to correct her crime. Hester does not see herself as sinful. What she did with Dimmesdale was an act of love that she was not able to get from Chillingworth. Hester viewed Dimmesdale with a tenderness and sympathy for having to battle with the unknown antagonistic force sent by Chillingworth. She viewed Chillingworth as a changed man after her crime was announced in public. Chillingworth was a kind man but has now turned into a vengeful man. Hester was treated like an outcast after she committed the crime. People used her as an example of a bad woman in their sermons and talk. She was treated badly such as when the children chased her and called her vulgar names that they did not really know the meaning of. She was viewed by people as being sinful and defiant. She was neither decent nor virtuous.

The Scarlet Letter was a romantic novel because it explores a sensitive subject such as adultery through feelings and experiences. The American Romanticism is characterized by feelings, inner experience, prefer youthful innocence to educate sophistication, contemplates nature's beauty as a path to spiritual and moral development, and much more. The Scarlet Letter contained some of these elements of American Romanticism. It explored its theme through feelings and inner experience of the characters. The novel provided the emotions and sentiments of Hester Prynne to show how being sin has affected her life. Also through her experience after her crime the reader is showed the role of women in society and how damage to a woman's reputation can lead to a bad life. Also the author shows a spiritual and moral development of Hester as she works to repay her crime. She becomes a helpful hand in the town and she teaches her daughter to be innocent and not to commit the sin Hester committed.

Comparison of JP 1 and JP 2

The first novel and the second novel are similar in that they both use women as their main characters. In the first novel, the main character is Hester Prynne and Isabel Archer in the second. The two books are talk about the role of women in society. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, it says that women are supposed to be virtuous, decent, obedient, and innocent. They can not make their own choices of marriage and major decisions. In The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James, women are supposed to be submissive, quiet, obedient, and dependent. They should not be independent and imaginative. The role of women in both books seems to be similar and did not really change very much.

Another similarity between the two books is the usage of symbols. Hawthorne uses many symbols such as the letter "A" and Pearl. The letter "A" symbolizes the sinful crime Hester has committed by having a child with a man that is not her husband. The letter "A" appears several times in the novel: on the chest of Hester, the armed breast plate at Governor Bellingham's mansion, and on the chest of Dimmesdale. At the beginning of the story, the letter "A" represents adultery. It was used to represent the shame Hester has and it was a symbol of identity for Hester. It was also a punishment for her. Near the end of the story the letter "A" changed from "Adultery" to "Able". It was meant able because Hester helped out in the community tending and soothing ill people. She was no longer condemned for her sin but was finally beginning to be accepted by the people again. The letter " A" was also significant to Dimmesdale. It was a constant remainder to him of his guilt for not revealing the truth that he is the father of Hester's illegitimate child. The guilt of adultery plagued Dimmesdale heart for seven years and seeing the letter A on Hester's chest reminds him of his sin. The letter A to Chillingworth served as the objective of his quest for revenge. Chillingworth wishes to take revenge on Dimmesdale for seducing his wife, Hester. The letter reminds him consistently to avenge his wife which drives him from a kind man to a dark, evil man. Pearl is the living manifestation or symbol of Hester's sin. She represents the living version of her mother's scarlet letter, punishing her mother for committing the crime. Pearl is also a blessing for Hester because she is the only person closed to her after the exile she faces in Boston. Her existence wills Hester to live and continue on with life. If Pearl was not there, Hester will be tempted to give up on life. Pearl is also the living version of Hester. She has vital spirit and passion. Pearl is the living torture of Dimmesdale. She continuously pose to Dimmesdale the question of when will he stand with Hester and her on the scaffold. This question causes Dimmesdale to feel more and more guilt for not telling the truth.

James uses the symbol of Isabel Archer. Isabel Archer symbolizes the independent woman during the nineteenth century. She represents the minority of the privilege women who are able to be free in their thoughts and decision. Her independence leads her to take actions that are sometimes wise and sometimes a mistake. Her independence also influences the people around her. Her cousin wants her to maintain her independence by telling his dad to give part of his inheritance to Isabel so that she do not have to marry in order to support herself. Also the money will allow her to travel and do the things she wants. Her husband tries to destroy her independent nature and turn her to an obedient wife. Isabel wins admiration from people such as Henrietta Stackpole and Mrs. Touchett because she is independent.

The two books have many differences. One difference is the style of the writings of the two authors. Hawthorne writes in a precise and effective style. "Hester Prynne's term of confinement was now at an end. Her prison-door was thrown open, and she came forth into the sunshine, which, falling on all alike,
seemed, to her sick and morbid heart, as if meant for no other purpose than to reveal the scarlet letter on her breast." Hawthorne tells readers clearly without a doubt that Hester Prynne has been freed from prison for her sin and now she must show the town the scarlet letter that marked her sin. James instead writes in an ornate way. He describes the situations with great details and imagery. For example in the beginning of the book, James gives an in-depth description of the house, the garden, Mr. Touchett, Ralph Touchett, and Lord Warburton to set up the scene of the conversation that these three men had. "The old gentleman at the tea-table, who had come from America thirty years before, had brought with him, at the top of his baggage, his American physiognomy; and he had not only brought it with him, but he had kept it in the best order, so that, if necessary, he might have taken it back to his own country with perfect confidence. At present, obviously, nevertheless, he was not likely to displace himself; his journeys were over, and he was taking the rest that precedes the great rest. He had a narrow, clean-shaven face, with features evenly distributed and an expression of placid acuteness. It was evidently a face in which the range of representation was not large, so that the air of contented shrewdness was all the more of a merit. It seemed to tell that he had been successful in life, yet it seemed to tell also that his success had not been exclusive and invidious, but had had much of the inoffensiveness of failure..." This is the description of Mr. Touchett. It was almost a whole page that James used to describe Mr. Touchett. James provides many details and images in his writing.

Another difference between the two books is the characterization. In The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne is treated badly by the people in her town because she has committed a sinful crime of adultery. She was attacked by the people of the town and talked about in the church. She was an outcast in her town. Isabel Archer in The Portrait of a Lady, she was treated differently by the people in her life. She was admired by her family and friends for being independent and imaginative. Her friend, Henrietta Stackpole, has even written about her in her articles for the Interviewer. Isabel Archer is treated kindly compared to Hester Prynne. The character of Hester Prynne and Isabel Archer are similar that they have positive views about themselves. Hester Prynne does not feel that she had committed a crime. She is a passionate woman and wants to be with the person she loves instead of being married to someone she does not love. Hester Prynne is young and beautiful. She is decent and virtuous in her own way. Isabel Archer views herself as a determined and independent woman. She makes her own judgment about things. These two women do not think they are bad people like some other people may think they are.

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