Henry James writes a Preface for the new work of The Portrait of a Lady which has announced that story centred on the heroines consciousness and that its action is the development of her perception and awareness.Around this main theme of the novel,the following thesis is attempting to analyze the internal and external factors which have influenced our heroine---Isabel Archers growing consciousness.The "Marriage versus independence" formula is the most common plot in stories about women.This thesis has used the same formula to reveal Isabels paradoxical quest for freedom.In The Portrait of a lady,Isabel doesnt want to begin her destiny with marriage,but it seems the womans unavoidable destiny which involves her with the constant suitors.These suitors represent different social positions,different taste of art,and deferent social backgrounds,which have become the important reasons of Isabels choice.The novel stresses on the social constraints over women,but Isabels different attitudes toward her suitors show her gradual consciousness and individual freedom.The thesis also explores the thematic structure of the novel,which is the houses.These houses are used in a way that incorporates them into the novels symbolic action.They come to symbolize not only the characters who live in them and the events that take place there,but the several stages of Isabels education.Thus,forming the thematic structure of the novel.James shows us that Isabel is a contradictory combination of an creative and conventional woman.Her experience is the story of a womans changing place in the changing society.The social conventions and her limited understanding of freedom are the decisive factors of her failing marriage.her mistakes are not her own fault,her story is not the end.Isabel as well as other women would get improved from the changing society and fulfill themselves in the future.