External causes of Isabel’s tragedy marriage in
The Portrait of a Lady
As we all know, Isabel Archer’s tragedy marriage was caused by many reasons. Generally speaking, people believe it was mostly because of her narcissistic personality which was formed from her maternal absence. Yes, it could be a reason. In addition, her pursuit for liberty, independence and acknowledgement determined her refusal of Lord Warburton and Gaspar Goodwood, and determined her acceptance of Gilbert Osmond. Because Gilbert Osmond could give her maternal care, she rationally put herself in the marriage.
However when we have a look at the historical background and the environment she had lived in, we will know that it was not herself led her disaster marriage. From what I know, Isabel was lived in 19th century which was a turning time for America and the people around her also affected her a lot. This paper analyses the external causes of Isabel’s marriage: the historical background and three major persons (Gilbert Osmond, Mrs. Touchett and Madame Merle) influenced her.
External causes: the historical background
In the 1870’s, the story happened. At that time women had few rights and opportunities. And it was believed men and women played different social and families roles. Men were thought to be active, dominant and materialistic. While women were supposed to be passive, submissive and
domestic. The virtues such as piety, purity, submissiveness and domesticity were regarded as favorable qualities of women during 19th century. And these qualities were seen in Isabel:
As Osmond's wife she could never again be his friend. If in this character she should enjoy the felicity she expected, she would have nothing but contempt for the man who had attempted, in advance, to undermine a blessing so dear; and if on the other hand his warning should be justified the vow she had taken that he should never know it would lay upon her spirit such a burden as to make her hate him. So dismal had been, during the year that followed.(chapter 39)
From this we can see her believes about freedom and independence had been killed by her marriage. “she would have nothing but contempt for the man” shows that she gradually became a traditional and submissiveness woman. We can see how the outer environment changed her. And what amazed readers most was Isabel’s returned back after she knew the secret between her husband and Madame Merle, because divorce was not allowed in her age. She sustained the pains but obeyed it strictly.
External causes: three people influenced Isabel
Then, we come to discuss the first person affected her: Mrs. Touchett who influenced her originally. She was a cold, indifferent, unsympathetic woman. She had not taken her duty to Isabel very well. She lived apart
from her husband and her son for no apparent reasons. Her strange rules led Isabel’s defiant and unruly attitude and her looking for freedom. This can be seen from her disapproval when Isabel stays with Lord Warburton and Ralph until ten o’clock at night. And her disagreeable about Isabel’s travel plans to London with Henrietta. Moreover, after Isabel told Mrs. Touchett that her engagement with Gilbert Osmond, she showed up her indifferent personality. We can see this in chapter 33：
\same way that I know when the window's open—by feeling a draught. You're going to marry that man.\\\—Mr. Osmond.\
\don't know why you call him Madame Merle's friend. Is that the principal thing he's known by?\
\—after what she has done for him!\cried Mrs. Touchett. \shouldn't have expected it of her; I'm disappointed.\
\you mean that Madame Merle has had anything to do with my engagement you're greatly mistaken,\Isabel declared with a sort of ardent coldness. And in chapter 39:
Mrs. Touchett had not the imagination that communes with the unseen, and she now pretended to no intimacy with herniece, whom she rarely
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