# Henrietta Stackpole — The Portrait of a Lady character guide > Henrietta Stackpole in The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Miss Stackpole, Stackpole **First appearance:** 0005-iv ## Snapshot A plump, bright-eyed American journalist who interviews everyone she meets and apologizes to no one, Henrietta is Isabel's most unsparing and most loyal friend. ## Who they are Henrietta arrives at Gardencourt as a professional interviewer in petticoats, cheerfully extracting copy from English hosts who find her both alarming and oddly admirable. She cares not a straw what men think of her, which makes her the one person in Isabel's orbit immune to European opinion. Her blunt American candor and reproductive instincts about other people's lives make her a comic irritant and a moral counterweight as Isabel drifts toward Osmond. ## Relationships ### [Isabel Archer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/characters/isabel_archer) _friendship_ Henrietta is Isabel's outspoken, loyal American friend who constantly advises her with blunt honesty and concern. ### [Ralph Touchett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/characters/ralph_touchett) _friendship_ Henrietta and Ralph share a witty, affectionate friendship built on mutual respect and concern for Isabel's welfare. ### [Caspar Goodwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/characters/caspar_goodwood) _friendship_ Henrietta is a supportive friend to Caspar, often encouraging his pursuit of Isabel and acting as his confidante. ### [Isabel Archer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/characters/isabel_archer) _friendship_ Henrietta is Isabel's outspoken, loyal American friend who constantly advises her with blunt honesty and concern. ### [Isabel Archer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/characters/isabel_archer) _friendship_ Henrietta is Isabel's outspoken, loyal American friend who constantly advises her with blunt honesty and concern. ### [Ralph Touchett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/characters/ralph_touchett) _friendship_ Henrietta and Ralph share a witty, affectionate friendship built on mutual respect and concern for Isabel's welfare. ### [Caspar Goodwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/characters/caspar_goodwood) _friendship_ Henrietta is a supportive friend to Caspar, often encouraging his pursuit of Isabel and acting as his confidante. ### [Ralph Touchett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/characters/ralph_touchett) _friendship_ Henrietta and Ralph share a witty, affectionate friendship built on mutual respect and concern for Isabel's welfare. ### [Caspar Goodwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/characters/caspar_goodwood) _friendship_ Henrietta is a supportive friend to Caspar, often encouraging his pursuit of Isabel and acting as his confidante. ## In the story ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/vi) Introduced as a friend and model of useful activity, a journalist who supports herself and her family, embodying independence. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/x) Plans to write about Gardencourt for the Interviewer, but desists when Isabel objects; questions Ralph about his idleness and expresses a desire to 'show him up'; later seeks to meet Lord Warburton. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/xi) Engages in a heated debate with Mrs. Touchett about American hotels and servants; warns Isabel about Caspar Goodwood's arrival and presses her about her feelings. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/xiii) Takes a walk with Ralph and asks for his help to invite Caspar Goodwood to Gardencourt, fearing Isabel is changing and may marry a European. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/xiv) Engages Lord Warburton in conversation at luncheon, expressing her views on aristocracy. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/xv) Accompanies Isabel in London, criticizes English customs, and writes about the Tower of London. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/xvi) Henrietta is mentioned as having written to Caspar Goodwood to inform him of Isabel's whereabouts, an act Isabel views as a betrayal and a breach of delicacy. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/xvii) Confronts Isabel about Caspar Goodwood's visit, expresses concern for Isabel's future, and plans to visit Lady Pensil. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/xx) Henrietta is present in Paris and frequently sees Isabel; Mrs. Touchett suspects Isabel's critical remarks may be influenced by Henrietta's journalistic style. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/xxi) Henrietta is mentioned as having criticized Isabel's inheritance, prompting Ralph to dismiss her opinion. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/xxvi) Henrietta arrives in Florence, causing Mr. Bantling to express emotion, and is met with Madame Merle's determined tolerance. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/xxvii) Accompanies the group, makes observations about Rome, and expresses her disapproval of Osmond to Isabel. ### [Chapter XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/xxviii) Henrietta remarks on Lord Warburton's wealth and property, and later goes out for an ice with Mr. Bantling. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/xxix) Henrietta is mentioned as having contracted a friendship with an American family in the hotel and is visiting them during the conversation between Isabel and Osmond. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/xxxii) Henrietta is mentioned as having visited Caspar in Boston and is expected to come to Europe, possibly to scold Isabel about her marriage. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/xxxix) Osmond objects to her, calling her vulgar and abandoned; she travels to Spain with Mr. Bantling and writes successful letters. ### [Chapter XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/xliv) Visits the Countess Gemini in Florence, expresses concern for Isabel's marriage, and decides to travel to Rome to assist her friend. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/xlvii) Informs Isabel of Caspar Goodwood's arrival in Rome; shares news about Mr. Bantling's American travels; visits Ralph daily and becomes his friend. ### [Chapter XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/xlviii) Defends Isabel's honor to the Countess Gemini, insisting Lord Warburton was not encouraged, and arranges to travel with Ralph. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/liii) Meets Isabel at Charing Cross, discusses her engagement to Mr. Bantling and her plans to grapple with England. ### [Chapter LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/chapters/lv) Henrietta Stackpole attends Ralph's funeral with Mr. Bantling. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/characters/henrietta_stackpole - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_portrait_of_a_lady_se/characters