NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
Henry James wrote a lot of classic stories in his time. Amongst these great classics is that of "Daisy Miller. " Daisy Miller is a love story about a young lady who appears to be out of place in culture and society. It is about a girl who wants to be free and does so by showing her ignorance in society. In the reading we come across many themes that Daisy Miller brings upon herself.
Amongst these themes is that of her innocence. Henry James' "Daisy Miller" has a theme of innocence, which brings great misfortune to the main character. Does Daisy's death have to do with her innocence or with her ill-mannered life style? Daisy Miller is a unique girl who appears to do wrong because of her innocence. Daisy is a young American adult who was placed in a European environment with absolutely no idea of how to act. Some say that this is what Daisy's innocence is all about, and others believe it is her own fault.
She was brought up in a very lenient family who let the children do almost whatever they wanted too. This is proved in the opening scene of the book when Winterbourne tells little Randolph Miller; "Take care you don't hurt your teeth" and Randolph replied, "I haven't got any teeth to hurt. " (James 6) The upbringing of Daisy and Randolph was from a workhorse father who could not find enough time out of his busy schedule to take a vacation with his family. The mother, Mrs. Miller cares for what people think of her children but lets them go about their business as they wish. Parents have a big influence on their children in how they act as they grow up and how they act when they are all grown up. James makes the family a big point because they are a big influence on how a person acts as they grow up.
Daisy's innocence in Europe could be a direct result of her upbringing by her parents. At the beginning of the story Daisy meets a nice American gentleman who ends up falling in love with Daisy. The gentleman's name is Winterbourne. He does all that he can to try and be noticed by Daisy. They become quite good fiends and he takes her to see some sites.
After a long stay, it is time for Daisy and her family to move on to a new European city. Winterbourne is much in love to never see Daisy again, so he agrees to meet up with her in a few months in the city of Rome. When Winterbourne finally arrives in Rome he has noticed that Daisy has an Italian companion with whom she spends all her time. Winterbourne makes it clear that he has many feelings for Daisy. Winterbourne says; "You " re a very nice girl, but I wish you'd flirt with me, and me only" (James 61). Throughout the story Daisy flirts with Winterbourne making him believe that she is interested in him.
Daisy appears to be interested in Winterbourne, but she also appears to be interested in her Italian friend Giovanelli. Many people begin to talk about Daisy behind her back, and how she is not very proper. Can this be true or is it a sign of her innocence. Does she just not know any better than to flirt with multiple men in this society at such a time-period?
Many people believe Daisy is not as innocent as she appears. Some feel that she know exactly what she is doing. Henry James puts this in the story to show that Daisy is not a polite and charming girl. He points out that she just like everyone has flaws. The question of Daisy and her innocence does come up numerous times throughout the novel. Winterbourne grows extremely jealous of Giovanelli and the time he spends with Daisy.
Winterbourne is also confused because Daisy says she likes him but she spends all her time with Giovanelli. Winterbourne and Giovanelli are aware of Daisy and her innocence because they state it at the end of the story. They say; "She was the most Beautiful young lady I ever saw, and the most amiable. " They also say; "The most innocent!" (James 79 - 80) The reason they refer to her as if she was dead is because Daisy did die. She died of Roman Fever. Many people believed that Roman Fever was caused from staying out past dark.
In fact Daisy stayed out past dark no matter what people had said about her. Just before she died, Winterbourne found her late at night with Giovanelli at the Coliseum. Who should people blame for Daisy's death? Should people blame Daisy and her innocence? I feel that Daisy is to blame because she really tries to go out of her way to disobey society to live her happy life. Many people wanted to blame Giovanelli but in fact there was no other person to blame but Daisy.
Daisy was quoted saying; "I don't care whether I have Roman Fever or not" (James 77). This shows that maybe daisy is not as innocent as she appears. Maybe she know exactly what she is doing or maybe she just does not care for following rules. Daisy's innocence comes up very often throughout the novel. Daisy's death may have something to do with her innocence.
Throughout the story we depict and find out new things about Daisy and her lifestyle. She shows that she does not follow rules, and that she does not care what anyone has to say about her. It seems as if she is not as innocent as she may appear. The evidence show in fact that she was very much innocent. Could Daisy's parents been part of her innocence? Daisy was a beautiful you lady in which many men adored.
Did Daisy know she was doing a wrong thing in society by spending her time with men at all hours of the day and evening? Daisy appears stubborn to us reader. Daisy may in fact have not been as stubborn as she appeared, but looking to fulfill her quest for happiness. Daisy was a unique person and in fact taught the European culture a thing or two.
Daisy and her innocence brought people to see things they have never seen before. Bibliography:
Free research essays on topics related to: daisy miller, henry james, daisy, young lady, roman fever
Research essay sample on Daisy Miller Roman Fever
