... be counted counts", if you believe this, then you will agree with Madame Merle's standpoint in Portrait of a Lady written by Henry James. Madame Merle argues that you should judge a book by its cover and contents, establishing that the outer "shell" is as equally important as the inner shell. While speaking metaphorically and literally, Madame Merle's view has the greater validity ... or seems to be, however, there is a connection between the exterior and interior components. The outer constituents are a window, if you will, to the inner elements. Therefore, Madame Merle has a sounder p...

• Word Count: 934
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School