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Overview

The Portrait of a Lady, published in 1881, is a novel by Henry James that tells the story of Isabel Archer, a young American woman who travels to Europe and becomes entangled in a complicated web of relationships and personal choices. The novel is often considered one of James’s most important works and is notable for its exploration of themes such as freedom, responsibility, and the role of women in society. The Portrait of a Lady has been adapted for film and television multiple times, most recently in a 1996 film starring Nicole Kidman. 

Explore a plot summary, mini essays, and a character list.

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