Abstract

The paper aims to analyze the narrative techniques in Henry James’ masterpiece The Portrait of a Lady. James is both a novelist and a literary critic. The narrative techniques that James puts forward are mixed well like milk and water with the theme of The Portrait of a Lady. James regards human heart as a closed book and is very interested in the obscurity in human relations. Isabel is eager to learn about the world, yet she is always haunted with the feeling of helplessness due to the isolation and estrangement with others. James’ three narrative techniques, i.e., the “central consciousness”; the “limited point of view” and the “organic form” are employed to effectively represent the theme in this novel.

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