A Study on an Author Who Studied: Henry James

Henry James as a realist writer dealt with the idea of the American in Europe in more than one of his pieces. In "Daisy Miller: A Study," James has given us a text that will continually spawn discussions that will never come to a conclusion. He poses questions about Europeanizing Americans, gender relations, social etiquette, and others. With this essay, I would like to propose that the reason for this endless questioning is do to the fact that the subject matter of the work represents our reality in general and as a reader of the work. Particularly, Henry James' "Daisy Miller: A Study," is purposefully ambiguous in order to involve the reader in the two worlds of Winterbourne and Daisy, ultimately showing how their drastic views and actions in their situation left them both in the dark as to the right way to deal with one another and in the dark about the "real" of the situation -- ending the story as a loss for them both. Daisy's fault is in her lack of honesty and her lack of observing and concluding upon the right way for her to act in order to bring respect and without compromising her freedom of having fun. Winterbourne's analytical behavior towards Daisy shows his lack of intellect and his willingness to conform ending in his loss of a relationship to Daisy. As a comment on society, the story preaches that somewhere in the middle of these two worlds is a place where everyone is in comfort and respect.

Since the story bears her name, I would like to begin illustrating my points with a close look at Daisy and her faults. Daisy is in a culture where she is completely a foreigner. Europe for Daisy is a playground. She goes about her adventures in "society" without thought as to the consequences of her actions, even when brought to her attention. Daisy blatantly ignores Mrs. Walker's warning as to a problem saying, "I don't think I want to know what you mean... I don't think I should like it." This nonchalant attitude as to the way in which her behavior is perceived costs her the respect of Winterbourne and his peers. Phillip Page concludes the same notion in his essay "Daisy Miller's Parasol." "...Daisy errs... by refusing to recognize any claim from society, thus maintaining too great a distance from it" (2). This alienates the society from her motives and intentions however innocent and respectable they may be. How would the scenario be changed if she had gotten into the carriage with Mrs. Walker, spoke with her about Daisy's own perception of the situation, and listened to Mrs. Walker's warning? She could have continued her walk knowledgeable about the sourness it added to her reputation, or perhaps have explained to Mrs. Walker her intentions.

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