Literature Analysis 3

Daisy Miller
By Henry James

1) The novel opens as Winterbourne meets Daisy Miller in Switzerland while visiting his aunt. They talk and Winterbourne is intrigued by her personality. She is not as proper as the European girls, as she is American, and she talks openly about her life. The two set a date to visit an old castle together on their own and Winterbourne promises Daisy that he will introduce her to his aunt. His aunt refuses to meet Daisy, saying that she is unrefined and common. The two go through on their date and have a good time, conversation coming easily and friendly. Daisy makes Winterbourne promise that since he is leaving he must visit her in Rome next winter.
When Winterbourne goes to Rome, he hears that there are many bad things being said about Daisy. Her reputation is going down for associating herself with lower class and shady men. Winterbourne tries to talk to her but she does not listen to him, and continues to see a man named Giovanelli. Daisy's mother also warns her of what will happen if she stays with Giovanelli, but Daisy dismisses her mother's warnings. Daisy tells Winterbourne both that she is and then that she is not engaged to Giovanelli. Winterbourne sees the two outside late at night in Rome, and tells them they must go in so they don't get malaria. Daisy quickly falls ill and gives Winterbourne a note that says she was never engaged and that she hopes Winterbourne remembers their time at the castle. Daisy dies and Giovanelli tells Winterbourne that she never would have married him. Winterbourne realizes he has spent too much time worried about Daisy and he returns to his life in Geneva.

2)The theme of the novel is culture. Daisy and Winterbourne were both Americans, which made them stand out from the people around them. They weren't part of the style of Europe, and that caused them both problems. Daisy was looked down upon and became an outcast, no longer being invited to parties or to social events because of her choice of men and who she associated herself with. Winterbourne was so intrigued by Daisy because she was different from the European girls who weren't as open and and were more proper. This ultimately caused his heartbreak.

3)The tone is very light. It is never intense or dramatic, instead staying friendly and conversational. It is non-chalant and detached.

“The young ladies of this country have a dreadfully poky time of it, so far as I can learn; I don’t see why I should change my habits for them.” Daisy Miller
“ “I am afraid your habits are those of a flirt” said Winterbourne gravely
“Of course they are,” she cried, giving him her little smiling stare again. “I’m a fearful, frightful flirt! Did you ever hear of a nice girl that was not? But I suppose you will tell me now that I am not a nice girl.”
“You’re a very nice girl; but I wish you would flirt with me, and me only.””

'I have more friends in New York than in Schenectady-more gentleman friends; and more young lady friends too," she resumed in a moment. She paused again for an instant; she was looking at Winterbourne with all her prettiness in her lively eyes and in her light, slightly monotonous smile. 'I have always had,' she said, 'a great deal of gentleman's society.'"

" 'Since you have mentioned it,' she said, 'I am engaged.' . . .

4)-Syntax: The author uses long descriptions about occasions and thoughts with little dialogue.

"The young lady meanwhile had drawn near. She was dressed in white muslin, with a hundred frills and flounces, and knots of pale-coloured ribbon. She was bare-headed; but she balanced in her hand a large parasol with a deep border of embroidery; and she was strikingly, admirably pretty."

- Foreshadowing: Many people continue to warn Daisy of getting malaria but she doesn't take the advice and it causes her death. Winterbourne's aunt also tells him not to take part in anything to do with Daisy because it will be a mistake but he doesn't listen, and she ends up breaking his heart.

"I haven’t the least idea what such young ladies expect a man to do. But I really think that you had better not meddle with little American girls that are uncultivated, as you call them. You have lived too long out of the country. You will be sure to make some great mistake."

-Symbolism: Daisy represents American ideals. She is naive and self centered but also innocent and unaware of social levels. Her brother Randolph is everything of an American tourist who no one appreciates, being obnoxious and uncultured.

“But this young girl was not a coquette in that sense; she was very unsophisticated; she was only a pretty American flirt.”

-Tone: because the tone is so detached, it makes the story appear almost melancholy, because there is only confusion and no concrete facts or feelings.

-Setting: Placing two Americans in a European setting changes the culture that they are used to and puts them in new situations, like the one Daisy finds herself in where she is suddenly looked down upon.

“”What has she been doing?”
“Everything that is not done here. Flirting with any man she could pick up; sitting in corners with mysterious Italians; dancing all the evening with the same partners; receiving visits at eleven o’clock at night. Her mother goes away visitors come.”