Abstract: The study applies Derrida's deconstructive theory and the concept of "androgyny" to reinterpret The Portrait of a Lady written by Henry James, in order to study James' deconstruction of binary gender opposition. Through concrete textual analysis, it reveals James' deconstructive strategy for patriarchy. With a strategy of deconstruction before reconstruction, Henry James broke the patriarchal tradition that women are inferior to men to create androgynous women characters by subverting the traditional images of men and women as well as binary gender opposition. In this way, James expressed his wish to reconstruct a harmonious society where men and women coexist happily, and so promoted the equality between men and women.

Key words: The Portrait of a Lady, deconstruction, patriarchy, binary opposition, androgyny