Daisy Miller: The Feminist Reader
Daisy Miller takes place in late 18th-century Europe, amongst high society. In the 18th century, feminism and its various forms were misunderstood by men and women of all classes. Many times, feminists, like a writer or other female feminists, are accused of plagiarism because critics assume that women cannot come up with such original ideas. Female authors have used pseudonyms in order to avoid this dilemma. Women were seen as lacking in originality and independence. The assumption was that women were subservient, both to their spouses and to the traditional values of the time. Daisy Miller depicts the women as being subservient to their husbands and traditions of that time. One magazine responded to Daisy Miller in 1879 in a manner that was typical of the time and represented the characters from Daisy Miller. Lipponcott’s Magazine published: “Miss Daisy Miller is looked down upon by almost every circle of society, no matter where she lives, with a kind of contempt.” James’ “Daisy Miller”, Monteiro 252. Daisy is continually reprimanded by those that do not recognize or understand her progressiveness. Daisy Miller uses Daisy’s tragic death to demonstrate society’s unwillingness to accept and embrace feminism.
Daisy Miller’s story is told almost exclusively from the point of view of Winterbourne, an american young man who has spent the majority of his life living in Geneva. Winterbourne, who is observant and calculated, spends most of the novel analysing Daisy’s movements. Winterbourne’s character is the one who is observing Daisy. This is how we view Daisy. The character who is trying to understand Daisy is significant. Winterbourne admires Daisy for her grace, beauty and elegant movements. However, he does not understand why she behaves in such a socially inappropriate manner. Winterbourne believes that Daisy is not a good fit for society, but she is. Winterbourne is unable to differentiate between good and bad Daisy. Winterbourne is both sad and relieved at the death of Daisy. He was angry at himself for worrying so much about how to treat Miss Daisy Miller (James 141). Winterbourne’s “studying” can resume once Daisy is dead. He will be able to live a normal life that is in line with society, its values and traditions, and not be distracted by Daisy’s behavior. He realises, but too late, that Daisy misjudged him. However, he doesn’t change. “…He understands that he acted wrongly towards Daisy due to his excessive time abroad and rigid values. Winterbourne returns to the story mockingly. Winterbourne represents assimilation into European customs. However, his late revelation is a symbol of society’s inability to accept Daisy and her independent, progressive actions.
Giovanelli captures the charm and experience of Daisy’s other man. He is a persona that is vague, and he has unknown origins. His actions are described as: “Giovanelli talked and joked and made himself delightfully agreeable.” The imitation was excellent, even if the original was not. (James 96) Giovanelli portrays the flirtatious native in Daisy and represents her rebellious nature. Daisy Miller is a Western Hero. Coffin 273. “Daisy Miller trusted in her own judgement, and as such, she befriended Giovanelli to defy society …”. There are also similarities between Daisy Miller and Giovanelli. The two are natural flirts. They don’t mind doing what they like, yet they still regard themselves highly. This is perhaps what brings them together. Giovanelli is more aware of his actions, as they are practiced. Giovanelli has a reputation of being distrusted. Daisy, on the other hand, is continually chastised for her actions and encouraged to change. Because she is female, Daisy’s actions do not get a lot of humor from her society. Giovanelli is understood, however. Giovanelli is easy to study, and Mrs. Walker demonstrates that. He does have a place, even if it is not one that is entirely respectable. He lives his life just like Winterbourne. Daisy, however, is “…the unfortunate victim of rigid social norms. This is an example of the society’s inability or unwillingness to accept Daisy Miller.
Randolph is Daisy’s younger, shorter brother. Winterbourne’s initial impression of the young American is that he has the boldness and boisterousness of a stereotypical male american. “Will give me some sugar?” He asked in an immature voice. Winterbourne is quick to comment on Randolph because his schooling and behavior seem erratic. Randolph is Daisy’s opening, and Daisy’s persona mirrors Randolph. “Both are still in the primal stage of their development. Both are following their own inclinations. Randolph has a specific role to play in introducing Daisy and Winterbourne (Wilson/Westbrook, 276). Winterbourne also expects Daisy now to be “an American girl” after meeting her younger brother (James 9). Winterbourne already has an opinion about Daisy before meeting her.
Daisy Miller is a novel that has many women supporting the male characters. Daisy Miller begins with Mrs. Miller. Daisy’s weak and ineffective mother, she is not often seen. Daisy’s untimely death is made more inevitable by the absence of any motherly voice. Daisy’s innocence becomes more pronounced without a strong maternal figure. “Mrs. Miller’s nonchalance is due to Mrs. According to Kar (33), ________________________________________________. The conclusion is that even her mother, whether she doesn’t try or because of a general lack of ability, cannot understand Daisy. Daisy dies, while her mother appears as an idle, silly and sidelined character. Mrs. Walker chastises her, a strict European, by asking “Have You Ever Seen Anything So Ignorant As Her Mother?” (James, 98). Daisy’s mum does not discipline her because she believes that Daisy did nothing wrong. She also is unaware of Daisy’s social blasphemy, or the rejection she receives.
Daisy, in contrast, is pursued for her actions, by both Mrs. Walker and Mr. Costello. Winterbourne’s niece, Mrs. Costello, represents the idealized and respectable women of Europe in the late 1800s. She is refined and proper. Daisy’s opposite. “Her values are already set, she only has to follow them”(Ohmann 5). Mrs. Costello criticizes Daisy constantly, as she cannot believe that anyone would behave in such a vulgar manner. She says “I am a woman of a certain age, but I’m still not old enough-thank heaven- to be stunned!” (James40). Daisy is not accepted by the community, who reveres and accepts Mrs. Costello. Daisy, as Mrs. Costello’s opposite, is also wrong. Daisy must die, as Mrs. Costello, who represents society, continues to live. In this social evaluation, Daisy’s desire to die is a result of her victim-society relationship. Daisy’s actions are condemned without trial and she is put to death.
Daisy is also surrounded by Mrs. Walker. Unlike Mrs. Costello, she does not seem as concerned about Daisy’s well-being. The way she chastises Daisy is not as severe as Mrs. Costello’s. The fact that Mrs. Walker, a widowed woman who lives away from Europe and her country of origin, is independent is also noteworthy. She is a strong woman who is not afraid of expressing her opinions, yet she is also a rigid European. Daisy’s rebellion is not well received by her fellow students, who are unable to understand what she means. As an assimilated American who is familiar with social customs and expectations, Mrs. Walker tries to discourage Daisy from her actions. Some of these comments are: “I’m not sure it’s a good idea, dear,” “It really is too bad…that girl cannot do that sort of thing.” She cannot walk with these two men. James 86 and 98) said that fifty people had noticed her. She, too, believes Daisy is being vulgar. She tries to change Daisy by scolding her, but she ends up condemning Daisy to the fate she has chosen.
Daisy Miller, with its characters and settings as well as landmarks is rich in symbolism. Daisy’s symbolism is evident in her name as well as in the way she acts. Daisy is one of the most common flowers. It grows wild and in vibrant colors such as yellow and white. Daisy symbolizes joy and happiness. Miller is a very common surname. “In choosing Daisy, it may have been to suggest her spontaneity and simplicity” (Ohmann 9). Daisy’s name is a symbol of cheerfulness, commonality and wildness. This is a reflection of her rebellious and naive personality. It also supports her as an innocent symbol and a character unwilling to assimilate with the high standards and expectations of European Society. “I don’t believe I want what you say. “I don’t know if I like it”(James 102).
Daisy, on the other hand, only vaguely understands what she stands for in terms of freedom (Deakon 56) In response to Daisy’s refusal to conform “society is obligated, and if she believes that her death was not an accident then it will be a victim, to claim her” (Deakon 57). Winterbourne has the same root as winter and connotes ice and coldness. Winterbourne assimilates European customs while Daisy disregards them. Winterbourne represents society’s inability to understand and recognize feminism. Daisy Miller is Winterbourne. Daisy Miller is a mystery to Winterbourne, with her simplicity and openness. He, as other sophisticates do, is unable to read simplicity. “This inability, naturally, is what also makes Roman society reject Daisy” (Coffin, 273). Daisy may not be the ideal feminist but that doesn’t mean she can’t be.
Colosseum represents Daisy’s death and her martyrdom for feminism. The Colosseum was used in ancient Rome to entertain the crowds with gladiator battles. Thousands of people were killed for entertainment. It is a symbol of innocence sacrificed. Daisy’s decision to visit the Colosseum stems from innocence and simplicity. “I would not have wanted to leave without seeing the Colosseum under the moonlight …”(James144). Daisy’s malaria is contracted on these deceptive grounds. The Colosseum, however, is also dangerous, as it harbors malaria, an insidious malignancy that is inseparable and mysterious from its beauty and charm” (Deakon 54). Daisy’s death is foreshadowed and symbolized by Daisy’s visit to this monument.
Daisy Miller takes place in Europe. Daisy’s ostracism is already hinted at by the overall setting of Europe. Daisy and her family, who are in a foreign environment, will not be able to understand the actions of Daisy or her family members. Her death and social rejection become what we would expect of a champion and martyr for freedom. Daisy is in Rome at the end of the book. Rome was the birthplace of an ancient civilization that is now a fading memory. Daisy’s behaviour is similar to European high society. Daisy represents innocence and youth, whereas Rome is sophisticated. Daisy is the epitome of youth and innocence, while Rome is sophisticated and refined.
Daisy Miller was a novel of monumental importance at the time and has remained influential on readers to this day. Daisy Miller’s life and death are evidence that feminism is still alive today. Her death represents the unwillingness of societies to accept and see feminism. She is summed up as “James Thus Ended Daisy Miller, But Her Ghost Lived On.”
Work CitationCoffin, Tristram. “Daisy Miller: Western Hero.” Western Folklore 17,4 (1958), pp. 273-5. Web.
Deakin Motley, “Daisy Miller and Tradition in European Heroine,” Comparative Literature Studies 6, no. 1 (1969), pp. 45-59. Web.
Modern Language Notes 65.5, 1950, pp. 311-7. Dunbar, Viola R. Web.
Hoxie, Elizabeth F. “Mrs. The New England Quarterly, 19.4 (1946), pp. 474-484. Web.
James, Henry Moore Geoffrey Moore Daisy Miller. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1986. Print.
Kar, Annette. American Quarterly, 5.1 (1953), 31-8. Web.
Monteiro, George. What’s In A Name? James’s novella “Daisy Miller” has been studied in the context of American Literary Realism in 2007. Web.
Ohmann, Carol. Daisy Miller: A study of changing intentions. American Literature 36.1, 1964: 1-11. Web.
Wardley, Lynn. In “Reassembling Daisy Miller,” an article published in the journal American Literary History in 1991, the author examines how the character of Daisy Miller has been interpreted and reinterpreted over time. The article evaluates how the development of the character has been shaped by changes in culture and literary conventions. Web.
Max Westbrook and Frankie Wilson. Daisy Miller and The Metaphysician. American Literary Realism. 13.2 (1980). pp. 269-270. Web.
