What is The Portrait of a Lady?
{{italictitle}} {{Infobox Book | name = The Portrait of a Lady | title_orig = | translator = | image = The Portrait of a lady cover.jpg | image_caption = American first edition cover | author = [[Henry James]] | illustrator = | cover_artist = | country = United States | language = English | series = | subject = | genre = Novel | characters = | publisher = Houghton, Mifflin and Company (Boston) | pub_date = 1881 | english_pub_date = | media_type = Print | pages = | isbn = | oclc = | preceded_by = | followed_by = }} '''''The Portrait of a Lady''''' is a [[novel]] by [[Henry James]]. It was published in parts (serialization) in 1880-1881. It was published as a book in the United States by Houghton, Mifflin in 1881. It tells the story of a rich young American woman, Isabel Archer. She is exploited by the scheming Madame Merle and her friend Gilbert Osmond. Isabel weds Osmond and finds herself in a loveless marriage. The book was a great success. It is thought one of James's finest works. The story has been adapted to a BBC [[television program]] and to a movie starring [[Nicole Kidman]]. == Plot summary == Isabel Archer, from [[Albany, New York|Albany]], New York, is invited by her mother's sister, Lydia Touchett, to visit Lydia's rich husband, Mr Touchett, at his house near [[London]], following the death of Isabel's father. There, Isabel meets her uncle, her friendly sick cousin Ralph Touchett, and the Touchetts' neighbor, Lord Warburton. Isabel later declines Warburton's sudden [[Marriage proposal|proposal of marriage]]. She also rejects Caspar Goodwood, the son and [[Inheritance|heir]] of a rich [[Boston]] [[Mill (grinding)|mill]] owner. Although Isabel likes both Caspar and Lord Warbuton,she likes her [[Liberty|independence]], which prevents such a marriage, which she feels would [[sacrifice]] of her [[Liberty|freedom]]. The elder Touchett grows ill and, at the request of his son, Ralph