Isabell Archer
A Character Analysis
Isabel Archer is characterized as wanting to live to her fullest in her own freedom, flourish in happiness, and learn as many new things as she can. Isabel loves the knowledge she possesses: “I told you just now I’m very fond of my knowledge.” (James 48), and the knowledge she does not “she was always planning out her development, desiring her perfection, observing her progress.” (James 53). Isabell’s desire for learning, traveling, and living improves who she is, but also deepens her fear of being held back - especially by marriage. But this does not take away from the fact that people love Isabel- she is described as charming, “better worth looking at than most works of art.” (James 46), and independent. Multiple times throughout The Portrait of a Lady Isabel mentions her disdain for marriage and missing out on the things she could do if she remained single.
“From lapsing into eagerness on this point [marriage] she [Isabel] earnestly prayed she might be delivered; she held that a woman ought to be able to live to herself, in the absence of exceptional flimsiness, and that it was perfectly possible to be happy without the society of a more or less coarse-minded person of another sex.” (James 53) This quote from Isabel reflects her love for personal autonomy and her value of independence. Isabel believes that “ …a woman can do better things than marry” (James 152) and proves this, by traveling Europe where and whenever she likes, turning down multiple suitors (some without feeling badly), and doing whatever she thinks will make her the happiest she can be. As is apparent, Isabel possesses a very obvious characteristic of the “average American” (from her time and ours). Isabel is from Albany, New York, around 1870, a time when America had been established for nearly a century, founded on the basis of freedom.
Isabell is also very focused on her pursuit of happiness; she believes that if she were to be married, she would be trying to escape unhappiness: “I can't escape unhappiness”... “in marrying you I shall be trying to.” (James 133). A conversation Isabel had with a man who proposed to her, she states: “ ‘...it's not my fate to give up - I know it can’t be’.... ‘“Do you call marrying me giving up?’” [asked Lord Warburton] ‘“Not in the usual sense. It’s getting - getting -getting a great deal. But it’s giving up other chances…’ " Towards the end of the conversation Isabel says, “I’ve always been intensely determined to be happy…” (James 133). You could call Isabel a bit of an egoist or a hedonist- a person who focuses on maximizing their own joy. Isabel does not seem to be aware of this though. A; a few times she is accused of being a bit of one of these people, she denies it, starts arguing, or pretends to not care then cries. It is possible that (she might not actually care, though).
Isabel does not just enjoy the idea or want freedom, she loves it; “I am very fond of my liberty.” (James 19) and loves expressing - or showing it off- anytime she can: “...her journey [to Europe] was rather an expression of her independence” (James 499); thus proving Isabel to be a hedonist.
Isabel is not overly superficial. in a way that She is not blatantly rude or snobby;, She does not think or thinks that she is better than anyone: “I refused him because he was too perfect then. I’m not perfect myself, and he’s too good for me. Besides, his perfection would irritate me.” (James 150); Isabel believes she could do better in a sense that she could better herself.
What Isabel is also reaching for is knowledge: “I told you just now I’m very fond of knowledge.” (James 48)., She not only wants just the knowledge she already possesses, but even the knowledge she has not yet discovered: “...She kept her eyes on her book and tried to fix her mind.” (James 24). Other people notice this in her throughout Isabel’s time in England as well: [said to Isabel] “...that the world interests you and that you want to throw yourself into it.” (James 153). Now, Isabel was not previously stupid; she is described as intelligent and perceptive but still wants more. This behavior or mindset can be described as “epistemophilia” or excessive striving for or preoccupation with knowledge.
Now, from these wants, desires, and proclivities (such as being spontaneous or living as freely as Isabel does) you might assume one would not have much fear of anything. But, what if these things you loved so much or made about your whole person were threatened to be diminished or taken away completely? Isabel does not have much fear outside of her freedom being taken away. In chapter 17, Henrietta Stackpole (Isabel’s friend) had a man propose to Isabel. Isabel (obviously she declined) and “Isabel was irritated by her friend interference” (James 168) - the interference being proposed to.
Isabel also fears missing out. Not just the simple “Oh, I made a non-negotiable plan, so I cannot make it to your dinner party.” or simple “Fo-Mo” of our day, but doing the one thing that would inevitably be the end to fulfilling long-term desires or plans. She describes getting married as “giving up other chances.” (James 133) These- chances are possibly being traveling, meeting exciting new people, or living in exotic places with whoever she wants for however long she wants to do it.
Besides Isabel showing signs of low-level(not extreme) narcissism, a lack of empathy, and or never being satisfied, Isabel is quite the young lady of her day. She is charming, bold, “seems to have a great deal of confidence in herself and in others.” (James 15), interesting, and very determined. Towards the beginning of the novel, a few men discuss their idea of “an interesting woman.” They are referring to (interesting as in different, not suggesting as in women are normally boring. aren’t already interesting) However, they but never really come to a solid answer. After meeting Isabel the man who started the conversation says: “You wished a while ago to see my idea of an interesting woman. There it is!” (James 19). Isabel is also described as “as good as her best opportunities.” (James 188), Sshe has lots of opportunities as an educated, single, woman with good values (who happens to have a wealthy, elegant family) and wants to work to fulfill them.
Isabel Archer is characterized as driven, independent, and eager to learn; she is driven by her freedom, opportunity, and happiness. While some may admire her for these characteristics, her pursuit of independence and freedom could lead to Isabel really missing out on an extraordinary opportunity for a man who could really fulfill her desires and make her happy in a way she could not imagine. Despite her self-centeredness, Isabel makes not just a resilient woman, but a resilient person.