Henry James's novel The Portrait of a Lady published in 1881, presents more than the portrait and the fate of Isabel Archer by transposing the ideas of the late 19th century in a strong and intense literary activity. The elements of American society of the last decades of the nineteenth century meet European society: America, natural, attractive for vitality and novelty, and Europe, old and sophisticated, but artificial and decadent. The novel deals, in parallel, with two key themes: in the foreground is Isabel Archer and her life story (Bamberg, 2003). "Portrait of a Lady" is a novel of becoming, a novel of destiny and in a subsequent plan deals with the slightly overestimated antithesis (this is the fact that generated most of the criticism around the novel) of the old European continent - dusty, frozen in stillness, almost decrepit, decaying and worn, and the promised land - America: new, young, fresh and natural, in constant motion - full of vitality and dynamism, with new principles and reformed values ​​carried forward by enthusiasm of youth and newly gained freedom, just like Isabel. The old world, despite its inviting appearance and hospitality, and the comfortable life promised as a guarantee in exchange for the permanent settlement of aliens, is shown as a trap, a dusty old wreck that drags into itself all those it attracts in his world. nets (Freedman, 1998). Through her boldness, Isabel Archer is in stark contrast to the other women in this picture of a quiet, peaceful and seemingly welcoming, archaic and patriarchal part of old England, where people go about their lives according to established rules. norms in a monotonous and slow rhythm, and where the constancy of customs, habits and even vices is considered almost a virtue. Bound to Europe by her marriage to Gilbert Osmond, Isabel forgets her aspirations for freedom and knowledge: "She is not the brilliant American girl she WAS." The portrait of Isabel is complex, it captures every detail, every thought, every intention and desire of the heroine: she is Pansy's "guardian angel", Lord Warburton is afraid of her "extraordinary mind" and had the "luck of possess a better mind" mind than most of the people among whom his lot was cast (James, 1881).” These are just some of the aspects that characterize Isabel Archer. Works Cited Bamberg, R., (2003), The Portrait of a Lady: An Authoritative Text, Henry James and the Novel, Reviews and Criticism, New York: WW Norton & CompanyJames, H., (1881), Portrait of a Lady, Penguin Classics Freedman, J., (1998) The Cambridge Companion to Henry James Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press