The Portrait of a Lady
by Henry James

The Portrait of a Lady: Setting 1 key example

Definition of Setting

Setting is where and when a story or scene takes place. The where can be a real place like the city of New York, or it can be an imagined... read full definition
Setting is where and when a story or scene takes place. The where can be a real place like the city of New York, or... read full definition
Setting is where and when a story or scene takes place. The where can be a real place like the... read full definition
Setting
Explanation and Analysis:

The Portrait of a Lady takes place primarily in England, Italy, and France, with a brief flashback to the United States. The book is set in the 1870s, just after the American Civil War ended and, due to the post-war economic prosperity, Americans started to become interested in transatlantic travel to Europe. Most of James’s characters are American expatriates who settle down in Europe. As a member of this community, he knew these social dynamics well.