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The Influence Of Ralph Touchett In The Portrait Of A Lady

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Recommended: Literature and women in victorian century

Joy Ashford
Mrs. McFarland
AP English
12 December 2014
The Strength of a Secret Admirer: the influence of Ralph Touchett in the Portrait of a Lady
In 1880, a psychologist's son from New York published a book that would change the world and embody the spirit of the 20th century American woman like few others (Fogel 1). This book was The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James, a story of the challenges faced by a woman named Isabel Archer plucked from a suburban village in America and given the resources and freedom to travel the world. As Isabel gains and loses her freedom -and then wonders whether she was ever truly free at all- one of the few sources of positive guidance in her life is her cousin Ralph. An optimistic invalid and stalwart friend to the …show more content…

Ralph’s care extends from his eagerness to give Isabel half of his inheritance so she can “meet the requirements of her imagination” to his willingness, near the end of his life, to do all he can to preserve Isabel and Osmond’s relationship - saying “I don’t want any more trouble between them” - despite the pain and ostracization it has caused him. (James 157, 449) Ralph’s love and investment are worlds apart from the cold desire James paints in Gilbert Osmond. Rather than seeing her as a trophy on his shelf, Ralph’s goal is to make her laugh and encourage her free-spirited enjoyment of in life, even when faced with the clear signs of his own worsening condition and dismal health. “My excuse for not rowing is that my cousin rows so well,” said Ralph. “She does everything well. She touches nothing that she does not adorn.” (James 119) Ralph does not allow himself to wallow in self-pity; rather, he dotes on Isabel and hopes to help her enjoy life as he never

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