Daisy Miller is a novel written by James, Henry and portrays various pedantic rules and customs prevalent in the society at the time. There were certain codes of conduct set for men and women and they were expected to act like that. Any act, especially by women in contrast to the set and expected ones, was liable to attract mild to severe form of criticism by the members of the society. This is what forms the crux of the novel in which Daisy is the fateful female protagonist who is blissfully ignorant of the ways of the world and at the end her character stands tainted and ruined while the truth is just the opposite.
Do you sympathize with Daisy or identify with her Or you disapprove of her
I totally sympathize with the character of Daisy in the work Daisy Miller because she is very naive and as fresh as the morning dew, ignorant of the codes of conduct set by the society, led by her instinct and with no ulterior motives except an impulse to indulge into harmless flirting with the members of the opposite sex as and when the opportunity arises. Being thus is no crime. The ruled and standards of conduct are defined by the society and they are not necessarily bounding upon an individual. An individual can be booked only for illegal activities and crimes committed, if required. But Daisy was a fateful victim of the unethical nature of the society to gossip and meddle into everybodys personal life and the discriminatory attitude it adopts in relation to men and women.
Daisy was from New York, on a tour of Europe, without any pre-knowledge of the rites and rituals followed there. On the contrary, Winterbourne knew that in Geneva, as he had been perfectly aware, a young Man was not at liberty to speak to a young unmarried lady except under certain rarely occurring conditions... (James, 1987, p.5).
But he brazenly decided to make an exception and as per Daisys behavior If she looked another way when he spoke to her, and seemed not particularly to hear him, this was simply her habit, her manner. (James, 1987, p.6).
And if she looked in the eye, unflinchingly then to say that they were full of immodesty would be wrong because Winterbourne, who was a great connoisseur of the feminine beauty, had in his won words said that It was not, however, what would have been called an immodest glance, for the young girls eyes were singularly honest and fresh. (James, 1987, p.6).
Daisy had been wronged against time and again in the novel. Even her going to Colosseum at night with Giovanelli was seen in an altogether different and illicit light, thanks to Mrs. Costello and her ways which influenced a rather broad minded Winterbourne to doubt the chastity of Daisy. But Daisy , as strong and undaunted her spirit was, defied all attempts of unnecessary propriety at her and at one instance told Winterbourne when he asked her to accompany Mrs. Walker in her carriage I never heard anything so stiff If this is improper, Mrs. Walker, she pursued, then I am all improper, and you must give me up. Goodbye (James, 1987, p.44)
Later Mrs. Walker is found gossiping about her and making comments such as If she is so perfectly determined to compromise her, the sooner one knows it the better one can act accordingly. (James, 1987, p.44).
According to her she does, 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 oclock at night. Her mother goes away when visitors come. (James, 1987, p.45). But I as a reader know that in all these she wasnt one bit at fault. Her intentions were true, then why was she being subjected to such scrutiny If the European society had vouched never to open up or broaden its outlook, then that doesnt mean Daisy shouldnt live her life to the fullest while upholding her chastity
She didnt resort to giving any reasons or explanations when Winterbourne doubted the sanctity of her relationship with Giovanelli and it was Winterbourne who was eventually had realized that it was on his conscience that he had done her injustice. ( James, 1987, p.123)
Daisy had an indomitable spirit and different thoughts on the issue of what is an acceptable code of conduct and I dont see why there is a need to ostracize Daisy for this.
Do you sympathize with Daisy or identify with her Or you disapprove of her
I totally sympathize with the character of Daisy in the work Daisy Miller because she is very naive and as fresh as the morning dew, ignorant of the codes of conduct set by the society, led by her instinct and with no ulterior motives except an impulse to indulge into harmless flirting with the members of the opposite sex as and when the opportunity arises. Being thus is no crime. The ruled and standards of conduct are defined by the society and they are not necessarily bounding upon an individual. An individual can be booked only for illegal activities and crimes committed, if required. But Daisy was a fateful victim of the unethical nature of the society to gossip and meddle into everybodys personal life and the discriminatory attitude it adopts in relation to men and women.
Daisy was from New York, on a tour of Europe, without any pre-knowledge of the rites and rituals followed there. On the contrary, Winterbourne knew that in Geneva, as he had been perfectly aware, a young Man was not at liberty to speak to a young unmarried lady except under certain rarely occurring conditions... (James, 1987, p.5).
But he brazenly decided to make an exception and as per Daisys behavior If she looked another way when he spoke to her, and seemed not particularly to hear him, this was simply her habit, her manner. (James, 1987, p.6).
And if she looked in the eye, unflinchingly then to say that they were full of immodesty would be wrong because Winterbourne, who was a great connoisseur of the feminine beauty, had in his won words said that It was not, however, what would have been called an immodest glance, for the young girls eyes were singularly honest and fresh. (James, 1987, p.6).
Daisy had been wronged against time and again in the novel. Even her going to Colosseum at night with Giovanelli was seen in an altogether different and illicit light, thanks to Mrs. Costello and her ways which influenced a rather broad minded Winterbourne to doubt the chastity of Daisy. But Daisy , as strong and undaunted her spirit was, defied all attempts of unnecessary propriety at her and at one instance told Winterbourne when he asked her to accompany Mrs. Walker in her carriage I never heard anything so stiff If this is improper, Mrs. Walker, she pursued, then I am all improper, and you must give me up. Goodbye (James, 1987, p.44)
Later Mrs. Walker is found gossiping about her and making comments such as If she is so perfectly determined to compromise her, the sooner one knows it the better one can act accordingly. (James, 1987, p.44).
According to her she does, 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 oclock at night. Her mother goes away when visitors come. (James, 1987, p.45). But I as a reader know that in all these she wasnt one bit at fault. Her intentions were true, then why was she being subjected to such scrutiny If the European society had vouched never to open up or broaden its outlook, then that doesnt mean Daisy shouldnt live her life to the fullest while upholding her chastity
She didnt resort to giving any reasons or explanations when Winterbourne doubted the sanctity of her relationship with Giovanelli and it was Winterbourne who was eventually had realized that it was on his conscience that he had done her injustice. ( James, 1987, p.123)
Daisy had an indomitable spirit and different thoughts on the issue of what is an acceptable code of conduct and I dont see why there is a need to ostracize Daisy for this.
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