Giving Quote by Rebecca West
“The Portrait of a Lady is entirely successful in giving one the sense of having met somebody far too radiantly good for this world.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Portrait of a Lady, Henry James, 1881
A character’s extraordinary virtue can feel both awe‑inspiring and implausible, highlighting the tension between idealism and realism.
In simple terms: Idealized characters can seem unreal.
Key Takeaway
Balance admiration with critical perspective.
Themes
idealism
realism
character study
beauty
Mood
contemplative
critical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- reading groups
- literature courses
- creative writing
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
literary analysis
psychology
social expectations
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate genuine virtue from idealized portrayal?
- What impact does an overly perfect character have on a story?
A Different Perspective
May create unrealistic expectations of people.
![“Like all bad drivers, he [Henry Andrews] thought he was the best driver in the world...” quote by Rebecca West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/54b/rebecca-west-1248_andrew_like-all-bad-drivers-he-henry-andrews-th_152541.jpg)
![“[On Jane Austen:] To believe her limited in range because she was harmonious in method is as sensible as to imagine that when the Atlantic Ocean is as smooth as a mill-pond it shrinks to the size of a mill-pond.” quote by Rebecca West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8d4/rebecca-west-1248_atlantic-ocean_on-jane-austen-to-believe-her-limited-in_215037.jpg)
