Daisy+Miller+Paige-M-WHS

**Daisy Miller**

  Henry James 

 **Author Biography**   Henry James was born April 15th, 1843 to very wealthy parents. He was born in New York City and was the second of five children. Education was extremely important to James' father, so he spent many years of his childhood traveling around Europe being tutored in language and literature. In 1864, Henry James decided that he wanted to become a writer. He became a noted writer in the realism movement. James started his career by traveling to Europe where he wrote book reviews and stories that he submitted to magazines. His first novel was called //Watch and Ward //  and was published in 1871. James wrotes several novels throughout his career, including //Roderick Hudson, // //The American // , //The Europeans // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">Confidence // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">Washington Square // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">The Pension Beaurepas // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">A Little Tour In France, // //<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">The Bostonians // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">The Aspern Papers // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">The Reverberator // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">The Tragic Muse // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">The Pupil // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">Sir Dominick Ferrand // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">The Death of the Lion // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">The Coxon Fund // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">The Altar of the Dead // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">What Maisie Knew // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">In The Cage // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">The Awkward Age // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">The Wings of the Dove // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">The Beast in the Jungle // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">The Golden Bowl // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">Italian Hours // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">The Outcry, // //<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">A Small Boy And Others // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">Notes Of A Son And Brother // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, and <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">The Middle Years // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">. <span style="font-family: verdana,Arial,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">Daisy Miller // <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;"> was published in 1897 and was later turned into one of many of unsuccessful plays James produced in his lifetime. Henry James became a british citizen in 1915 and was given the Order of Merit by King George V in 1916. James died of pneumonia on February 28th, 1916 in England.

<span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 190%;"> **Summary**

<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;"> The story begins at a hotel in Switzerland in the 1870s with a man named Winterbourne. He has lived in Europe for most of his life when he meets Daisy Miller and her pestiferous younger brother Randolph. They are visiting Europe from America with their family. Finding that Daisy is less high strung than European women, Winterbourne is entranced by her saying “she was only a pretty American flirt” (10). When he asks his aunt with whom he lives about Daisy, she strongly disapproves and refuses to meet her. Despite advice not to, Winterbourne goes to see the tourist attraction Chillon Castle with Daisy Miller. Months later, Winterbourne finds himself traveling to Europe, knowing that Daisy will be there. He learns from his aunt, however, that Daisy has become a topic of gossip. Many scandalous stories spread about Daisy’s interactions with an Italian called Mr. Giovanelli. Winterbourne is baffled at this and warns Daisy that her reputation is at risk, but she won’t listen. Winterbourne begins to be confused about Daisy’s morals and the meaning of her actions. Sometimes Daisy says that she and Mr. Giovanelli are engaged and other times she says the opposite, causing Winterbourne to question the state of their relationship. Coming across Daisy and Mr. Giovanelli by the Coliseum one night, Winterbourne decides that Daisy isn’t the type of person he should care about, but still stops to tell Giovanelli to get Daisy home safely. To find out how the book finishes, you’ll have to read it!

<span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 190%;"> **Literary Information**

//<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">Daisy Miller //<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;"> is 72 pages excluding the end notes. It fits in the comedy genre and is written from a limited third person point of view. It is limited because only Winterbourne’s thoughts and actions are followed. It is reliable however because it tells what is truly happening throughout the story.

The tone of the story is generally pleasant and light. Although serious topics are discussed, the story focuses mostly on the humor in situations rather than the gloom. This book finds humor in the day-to-day happenings in the book as well as the things Daisy says and does.

The style //<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">Daisy Miller //<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;"> is written in is formal. The language is very elevated throughout the book. An example of this is when the book says “’Well,’ she broke out upon the friend it would have been such mockery to designate as the latter’s rival, ‘I should think you’d be quite lonesome!’” (63).

<span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 190%;"> **Literary Analysis**

<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;"> In //<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">Daisy Miller //<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">, Henry James uses symbolism to reveal the theme that there is a stark difference between American and European culture. Midway through the book, Daisy Miller announces to Mrs. Walker and Winterbourne that she is going out to meet up with an Italian male friend of hers that night. She sees no problem with this plan, as she is very innocent. The others feel differently. “’My dear young friend’-and, taking her hand, Mrs. Walker turned to pleading-‘don’t prowl off to the Pincio at this hour to meet a beautiful Italian,’” (41). Upon hearing this, Daisy is not swayed in her decision at all. She is determined to do as she pleases. Throughout the book, Daisy serves as a symbol to reveal the underlying theme of the story. She is a symbol for America and all of its innocence and disregard for reputation. Her carelessness and scandalous behavior throughout the book represent how Americans are perceived in other countries. Winterbourne’s as well as other characters’ reactions to Daisy’s choices show the vast differences between American and European culture.

<span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 190%;"> **Criticism**

<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;"> I really enjoyed reading this book. The plot was interesting and believable and the characters were easy to relate to. I only have two criticisms for this book. Firstly, at many points in the book, Winterbourne denies to himself how he feels about Daisy Miller. At times this caused me to be confused about Winterbourne's opinion of her. Also, I found the character Daisy Miller to be a very stereotypical representation of an "American girl" that was not completely accurate. Overall, I thought this was a really good book and would give it 4 out of 5 stars.

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<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;"> This is a scene from the 1974 film adaption of //<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">Daisy Miller //<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">.

<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">media type="youtube" key="HkCiZPlmH9U" height="385" width="480"

<span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 190%;"> **Links** <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;"> <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">If you want to find out more about Henry James' other books, click the pictures below. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">

<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">For wikis about other books in the comedy genre, click the pictures below.

<span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 190%;"> **Sources**

<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%;">[|Book cover] [|Picture of Henry James] [|Biography of Henry James]