Chapters 12-15

This forum is for the discussion of The Portrait of a Lady, chapters 12-15.

I do enjoy Isabel's opinion that she considers men by their moral qualities not their positions of power.

Henrietta is another strong character. She is portrayed by the author as an independent American who wants to see Europe before she takes her place in society as a wife.

I wonder if it was the custom to take a niece under their wing and support her financially and let her think that she was paying her own way. That seems odd to me to give the character Isabel that touch of carefree boldness that she doesn't have to worry about money. Is her Aunt doing her justice by not telling her that she doesn't have that much money and she should really be thinking about her future financially.

Chapters 12-15:

Isabel has now rejected both suitors, the very American and the very English. (I suppose these characters are parallels to continue to portray the contrast in the novel.) I am glad that she turns them down, since she is not in love with them. I can't help but root for Ralph (though by current day standards the fact that he is a 'cousin' is a bit creepy).

Boy I'm slow. It didn't even occur to me that one suitor was English and one American. Dah.