The Portrait of a Lady

The Portrait of a Lady Henry James' sexuality

Henry James was a lifelong bachelor. The theme of repressed sexuality often arises in his novels. In The Portrait of a Lady, it is notable in Isabel's reactions to Caspar Goodwood. Some biographers have even speculated that Henry James may have been a repressed homosexual. He wrote many letters to an American sculptor, Hendrik Christian Andersen, which could be interpreted as love letters. He also had several homosexual male acquaintances. Then again, he also corresponded with some of his female friends in a similarly extravagant way.