The Portrait of a Lady

Still in a flashback, the narrator states that Lilian is the eldest of the Archer sisters and known for being “the practical one,” Edith is regarded as the prettiest of the three, and Isabel is known for being highly intelligent. When Isabel tells Lilian about Mrs. Touchett’s unexpected visit, Lilian hopes that their aunt will invite Isabel to visit Europe. She tells her husband, a lawyer named Edmund, that this would give Isabel the chance to develop through new experiences. Lilian hopes that Isabel would also find a husband in Europe.

Isabel reflects on her upbringing, noting she has already had a number of opportunities in life, including a largely self-directed education and an opportunity to travel abroad with her father. The narrator reveals that alongside Mr. Archer’s financial recklessness, he largely left the care of his three daughters to their governesses. Many people are critical of him for his lack of family responsibility, although Isabel does not feel this way at all. She desires to live her life freely in much the same way that her father did.

A self-directed education means that Isabel is very intelligent. She has learned a great deal from books, although “hated to be thought bookish,” preferring instead to learn from experience. She remembers that many of her sister Edith’s suitors seemed intimidated to speak with her, likely because of her intimidating intelligence.

While thinking about the possibility of Mrs. Touchett inviting Isabel to England, Caspar Goodwood arrives at the house. He is a Boston cotton-mill businessman and has been pursuing Isabel’s hand in marriage. She admires him greatly but does not wish to marry him. After half an hour, he leaves without having persuaded Isabel to accept his marriage proposal. However the narrator notes that he is a forceful personality and will not accept defeat easily.