《一位贵妇的画像》主要人物性格赏析

题目（英文）   An Analysis of the Protagonists’ Character in The Portrait of a lady   

题目（中文）  《一位贵妇的画像》主要人物性格赏析                                          

      Abstract

 

Henry James (1843-1916) is one of the greatest American novelists in the 19th century, while he is an inaugurator of psychological realism novel. The Portrait of a Lady is generally considered as one of Henry James’s the most classic novels. This novel is very successful because James creates a series of characters with distinctive personality. 

The thesis aims to make a thorough analysis of protagonists’ character from three chapters. Chapter One has a research on character of Isabel and points out her naive and spineless character to make her tragic marriage. Chapter Two focuses on the character of Osmond. His crafty and false character leads to his wife tragic marriage and destroys his daughter’s happiness. Chapter Three analyzes the character of Ralph. His slovenly and mature character shows that Ralph has optimistic and helpful spirit.

In conclusion, the thesis analyzes protagonists’ character in the novel and finds that Isabel’s naivete and weakness lead to her tragic ending, Osmond’s slyness and androcentrism cause his family’s painful life and Ralph’s laziness and maturity make him happy to spend the rest of his life. Therefore, this article explains that different personalities determine different destinies.

Key Words: character  destiny   marriage 

Contents

Abstract i

Contents ii

Introduction 1

Chapter One  The Character of Isabel 2

1.1 Her Naivete before Marriage 2

1.2 Her Weakness after Marriage 3

Chapter Two  The Character of Osmond 5

2.1 His Slyness 5

2.2 His Androcentrism 6

Chapter Three  The Character of Ralph 8

3.1 His Indolence 8

3.2 His Adultness 10

Conclusion 11

Notes 12

References 13