Henry James

Henry James was an American writer who happened to spend much time in Europe throughout his life which greatly influenced his writing. This is particularly evident in "Daisy Miller: A Study." While the other stories I read this week focused on American wars or their aftermath, Daisy Miller dealt with high European society and how an "uncultured" American girl fit into the norms and morays of the time and place.

Daisy is a young woman who is spending a holiday in Europe with her mother and younger brother, Randolph. She is a girl who couldn't care less for the conventions of European society. She does everything she wants without regard for her reputation. Even though it is not respectable for a young lady to be out and about by herself, without the accompaniment of a courier or her mother, Daisy gallivants through the story, oblivious to the mounting scorn around her. In the end this carelessness and egocentricism lead to Daisy's demise. Rome is rife with malaria that is transported by the bugs that come out at night. Everyone (including Daisy's suitor, Giovanelli) knows there are outdoor places that are to be avoided after dark. Daisy seemingly believes she will not be affected, and so we find her out at the Colosseum late at night with Giovanelli. A couple days later she comes down with the "Roman fever", and soon after she dies.

Throughout the story Winterbourne (an American who spends much time in Europe) is deeply intrigued by Daisy. Her thoughts and actions make him wonder profusely at her personality. As the story progresses so do his feelings for her until he is completely enamoured. He is also saddened when he finds out about Daisy's alleged engagement to Giovanelli. After she takes to her sickbed he learns, through Daisy's mother, that Daisy had not been engaged after all. This lifts Winterbourne's spirits temporarily, but, alas, Daisy dies soon after this confession. Winterbourne is left wondering what could've been.

Although I was somewhat annoyed with Daisy's self-centered personality I did enjoy reading this novella by James. His attention to the details of the personalities in the story lead me to believe that he was very astute and must have been a life-long study of people and how they interact not only with others, but within themselves as well.