Summary
Today we continued our discussion on Henry James's "Daisy Miller," beginning with how it can be classified as a realist story. “Daisy Miller” is a novel of observation in that the entire premise of the novel is based upon the observations of Winterbourne. This relates to Realism because Realism is simply the observation and subsequent portrayal of "life as it is." Daisy Miller is an ordinary American girl; though uncommonly scandalous in her actions, it is possible to identify her as an unexceptional character.
Daisy is overly flirtatious, talkative and excessively independent for a girl living at her time period. She also seeks the company of “untrustworthy” or lower class men, and goes out with them alone after dark. This kind of activity is something to expect of a whore, and not a young lady. Nevertheless, her steadfast belief in feminine freedoms both maintains her likability and increases her normalcy through her flaws. Winterbourne is another relatable character; he is not a mystery to us and maintains an accessible psychological perspective.
The "big question" in class was whether or not James constructed a tragedy. If the conclusion is that Daisy was just an ignorant child and maintained her innocence, then yes it is tragic because she didn’t know any better. Her death, then, was not her own doing, but the fault of her family who did not raise her properly or reign in her inhibitions. However, if the conclusion is that Daisy was knowingly committing these acts as a means of getting attention, then it isn’t tragic because she knew what she was getting into. It is difficult to decide if it's a tragedy partly because the story is written from Winterbourne's perspective, making it impossible to discern Daisy's true intentions.
Word Count: 293
Passages
"Miss Daisy Miller looked extremely innocent. Some people had told him that, after all, American girls were exceedingly innocent; and other had told him that, after all, they were not. He was inclined to think Miss Daisy Miller was a flirt - a pretty American flirt . . . Winterbourne was almost grateful for having found the formula that applied to Daisy Miller" (397).
In this passage, Winterbourne observes and attempts to pass judgment on Daisy Miller. This section emphasizes Romantic/Realist relations; had this story been told during the Romantic era, Winterbourne would have most likely constructed an elaborate backstory. Instead, he rationally applies what he "knows" to a mundane, simple conclusion on her character.
"The early Roman spring had filled the air with bloom and perfume, and the rugged surface of the Palatine was muffled with tender verdure. Daisy was strolling along the top of one of those great mounds of ruin that are embanked with mossy marble and paved with monumental inscriptions. It seemed to him that Rome had never been so lovely as just then" (424).
This passage portrays Daisy's inherent ties to nature, emphasizing society's inability to control her actions. The description of the Palatine - "muffled with tender verdure" - may apply to Daisy herself. Her cutting remarks and lack of propriety tend to emerge as innocence in his eyes until the end - an interesting parallel.
"I have more friends in New York then in Schenectady---more gentlemen friends; and more young lady friends too [...] I've always had", she said, "a great deal of gentlemen's society" (396).
Daisy delivers these lines in a conversation with Winterborne. In doing so, not only does she make the question of her innocence more of a mystery, she also gives light to the way Daisy tries to justify her actions of going out with men alone 'unescorted.'
Key Terms
Coquette - a woman who endeavors without sincere affection to gain the attention and admiration of man
Novels of Manner - Novels like Jane Austen's, that deal with the cultural proprieties of the day
Panoptican - a circular prison with a watchtower in the center; analogous to Daisy Miller's observers
Realism - portraying life as it is, the small details of life even the mundane, representative of characters
Novels of Observation - Novels that fall under the Realism category; actions/descriptions in story based on main character's/narrator's observations
Amoroso - Italian lover