The time Henry James wrote The Portrait of a Lady saw people trying to define the eyesight on scientific, philosophical and sociological basis. In this story, to indicate the protagonist Isabel’s development, stress is put on her ability to judge that improves over time. Isabel comes to find the right way of seeing as if equipped with excellent detective’s eyes: she doubts what her eyes catch and at the same time understands more than what her eyesight allows.
James employs limited views and peculiar situations to dramatize this story. Being cut loose from her hometown, the American girl is placed in Europe, just as game players are imported into an unfamiliar world. This story’s title ‘The Portrait’ invites the reader to observe Isabel and for the emphasis on the experience of seeing, the readers realize that they are experiencing the act of watching themselves.