Thatīs the irony...
Posted by Luisa on September 26, 1997 at 08:43:00:
In response to Why back to Osmond?, written by Mary on September 26, 1997 at 08:09:05
] I thought perhaps that Henry James was trying to say that the money was a hindrance, or that she was too foolish to use the freedom properly. Without the money she would have certainly married Mr. Goodwood or whatever his name was or Lord Warburton, each of whom would have given her a better life. The money enabled her to make the worst possible choice of a husband. I am too much a feminist to accept that premise.
That`s why itīs so ironic. Sheīs supposed to get the money that will enable her to satisfy the desires of her imagination (or something like that), but at the same time we hear that Isabel feels the pressure of having so much money and wishes to spend it generously and wisely (in other words, she wants to get rid of it somehow). Osmondīs poor (and she thinks generous and selfless), so what better action than to give it to him and thus also provide Pansy with a better life and a dowry? She is proud to be the provider, but has no idea that Osmond has married her for her money (only later). She`s idealistic, thatīs her major fault, I guess. That and too much pride.
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