Henry James Book Report

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one marriage proposal from wealthy and eligible bachelors. This option would alleviate their financial concerns but would also restrict their personal freedom. Isabel refuses the proposals of Casper Goodwood and Lord Warburton , because she does not want to be someone's wife even though getting married would give her security and approval of society. Lily, however, actively seeks out potential suitors and uses her beauty to manipulate men and to win the admiration of her peers. To get married is considered a young lady's duty and Lily is determined to fulfill this duty. As Henrietta points out to Ralf: 'It's everyone's duty to get married '(The Portrait of a Lady, 110). She is determined to find a husband and her only criteria seem to be that he be wealthy and socially powerful even if she does not like him. She considers Percy Gryce to be boring and unattractive but knows that the many advantages to 'marrying rich' would far outweigh these minor disappointments and she does ...

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option for Lily because she has neither the financial resources to care for herself nor the financial support of family and friends once they turn their back on her. Isabel has both of these advantages as well as the love and respect of her family and friends. Sadly, to many of the people in her life Lily is merely a decorative object whose beauty and charm make her a valuable asset to them: '…She felt herself of no more account among them than an expensive toy in the hands of a spoiled child ( The House of Mirth, 231). She is not entirely blameless though for she allows them to treat her this way and considers this treatment to be worth the benefits.
An obvious indication of the ...

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