Daisy Miller by Henry James
"Daisy Miller" is a novella by Henry James that explores themes of innocence, societal expectations, and cultural contrasts through the story of a young American woman, Daisy Miller, and her interactions with Winterbourne, a fellow American expatriate living in Europe. Set in the late 19th century, the narrative unfolds in picturesque locations like Vevey, Switzerland, and Rome, where Daisy, accompanied by her younger brother Randolph and their mother, captures Winterbourne's attention.
As Winterbourne becomes enchanted by Daisy's spirited nature, he faces the disapproval of his aunt, Mrs. Costello, who perceives the Millers as socially inferior. The tension between Daisy's free-spirited behavior and the expectations of upper-class society becomes increasingly pronounced, particularly when she forms a friendship with an Italian man, Mr. Giovanelli, which scandalizes their social circle. The novella culminates in tragedy as Daisy's disregard for societal norms leads to her untimely illness and death, prompting Winterbourne to reflect on his feelings for her and the implications of cultural differences in their relationship.
Through this poignant tale, James delves into the complexities of American identity and the conflicts between personal desires and social conventions, ultimately leaving readers to contemplate the consequences of societal judgments.
Daisy Miller by Henry James
First published: 1878
Type of work: Novella
Type of plot: Psychological realism
Time of plot: Mid-nineteenth century
Locale: Vevey, Switzerland; Rome
Principal characters
Daisy Miller , an American touristWinterbourne , an American expatriateGiovanelli , Daisy’s Italian suitor
The Story
Winterbourne is a young American who has lived in Europe for quite a while. He spends a great deal of time at Vevey, which is a favorite spot of his aunt, Mrs. Costello. One day, while he is loitering outside the hotel, he is attracted by a young woman who appears to be related to Randolph Miller, a young American boy with whom he was talking. After a while, the young woman exchanges a few words with him. Her name is Daisy Miller. The boy is her brother, and they are in Vevey with their mother. They came from Schenectady, Winterbourne learns, and they intend to go next to Italy. Randolph insists that he wants to go home. Winterbourne learns that Daisy hopes to visit the Castle of Chillon. He promises to take her there, for he is quite familiar with the old castle.
Winterbourne asks his aunt, Mrs. Costello, to meet Daisy. Mrs. Costello, however, will not agree because she thinks the Millers are common. That evening, Daisy and Winterbourne plan to go out on the lake, much to the horror of Eugenio, the Millers’ traveling companion, who is more like a member of the family than a courier. At the last moment, Daisy changes her mind about the night excursion. A few days later, Winterbourne and Daisy visit the Castle of Chillon. The outing confirms Mrs. Costello’s opinion that Daisy is uncultured and unsophisticated.
Winterbourne makes plans to go to Italy. When he arrives, he goes directly to the home of Mrs. Walker, an American whom he met in Geneva. There he meets Daisy and Randolph. Daisy reproves him for not having called to see her. Winterbourne replies that she is unkind, as he just arrived on the train. Daisy asks Mrs. Walker’s permission to bring an Italian friend, Mr. Giovanelli, to a party that Mrs. Walker is about to give. Mrs. Walker agrees. Then Daisy says that she and the Italian are going for a walk. Mrs. Walker is shocked, as young unmarried women do not walk the streets of Rome with Italians. Daisy suggests that there would be no objection if Winterbourne would go with her to the spot where she is to meet the Italian and then walk with them.
Winterbourne and Daisy set out and eventually find Giovanelli. They walk together for a while. Then Mrs. Walker’s carriage draws alongside the strollers. She beckons to Winterbourne and implores him to persuade Daisy to enter her carriage. She tells him that Daisy is ruining her reputation by such behavior; she becomes familiar with Italians and is quite heedless of the scandal she is causing. Mrs. Walker says she will never speak to Winterbourne again if he does not ask Daisy to get into the carriage at once. Daisy, refusing the requests of Mrs. Walker and Winterbourne, continues her walk with the Italian.
Mrs. Walker is determined to snub Daisy at the party. Winterbourne arrives, but Daisy has not yet make her appearance. Mrs. Miller arrives more than an hour before Daisy appears with Giovanelli. Mrs. Walker has a moment of weakness and greets them politely; but, as Daisy comes to say goodnight, Mrs. Walker turns her back upon her. From that time on, Daisy and Giovanelli find all doors shut to them. Winterbourne sees her occasionally, but she is always with the Italian. Everyone thinks they are having an affair. When Winterbourne asks her if she is engaged, Daisy says that she is not.
One night, despite the danger from malarial fever, Giovanelli takes Daisy to the Colosseum. Winterbourne, encountering them in the ancient arena, reproaches the Italian for his thoughtlessness. Giovanelli says that Daisy insisted upon viewing the ruins by moonlight. Within a few days, Daisy is dangerously ill. During her illness, she sends word to Winterbourne that she was never engaged to Giovanelli. A week later, she is dead.
As they stand beside Daisy’s grave in the Protestant cemetery in Rome, Giovanelli tells Winterbourne that Daisy would never have married her Italian suitor, even if she had lived. Then Winterbourne realizes that he himself loved Daisy without knowing his own feelings and that he could have married her had he acted differently. He reasons, too late, that he has lived in Europe too long and that he has forgotten the freedom of American manners and the complexity of the American character.
Bibliography
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