The Portrait of a Lady Summary

Isabel Archer, a highly intellectual and independent woman in her twenties from Albany, New York, loses her father. Subsequently, her aunt, Mrs. Touchett, offers to take her on a European trip. Despite having an admirer, Caspar Goodwood, Isabel leaves for England, eager to explore the world. Once in England, she rejects a marriage proposal from Lord Warburton, a wealthy neighbor, wanting to retain her independence. Following the death of Mrs. Touchett's husband, Isabel inherits a substantial fortune, drawing the attention of the sophisticated Madame Merle.

Madame Merle introduces Isabel to Gilbert Osmond, a man of modest means but strong intellectual prowess. Isabel is swept away by Osmond and decides to marry him despite her friends and family's disapproval. Osmond, however, sees Isabel more as a possession and an economic asset than a life partner. As their marriage spirals into mutual contempt, they live in a Roman palazzo with Osmond's daughter, Pansy. Simultaneously, an American art collector, Edward Rosier, falls in love with Pansy, but Osmond insists on her marrying a nobleman.

Isabel ends up torn between her duty towards her husband and her conscience. She wants to help Pansy marry Rosier, whom she loves, but Isabel's husband insists on Pansy marrying Lord Warburton. The dynamics become more complicated when Isabel discovers that Madame Merle, who had a significant role in her marrying Osmond, is Pansy's biological mother. On hearing about her cousin Ralph's deteriorating health, Isabel defies Osmond, who forbids her to leave, and goes to England. After Ralph's death, Isabel finds herself at a crossroads, choosing between returning to Osmond or embracing her independence. Ultimately, Isabel decides to return to Rome, unable to break off her marriage.