Azar Nafisi suggests that James's protagonists often face significant struggles and end up unhappy, highlighting a recurrent theme of disaster in his narratives. However, despite their lack of conventional success, these characters exude a sense of victory. This paradox stems from their deep reliance on their own integrity, which allows them to experience a form of triumph that transcends mere happiness.

For these characters, victory is not about external achievements or jubilant outcomes but rather about an internal journey toward self-acceptance and wholeness. This movement inward signifies that true fulfillment comes from aligning with one's values and sense of self, rather than societal measures of success or pleasure.