FREE ESSAY ON DAISY MILLER

DAISY MILLER

Upon Winterbourne's return to Vevey, Switzerland, he had been resting on a park bench,
conversing with a curious little boy when a "beautiful young lady," Daisy Miller,
approached. After a brief prattle, the two arranged a day's trip to the Castle of Chillon
and over the next few months planned on meeting again in Italy. Throughout the story,
Winterbourne tries to descry Miss Miller's personality and at the same time question her
reputation as a flirtatious American girl in the late nineteenth century. Henry James'
famous novelette, Daisy Miller, is a timeless story depicting what results from the
defiance of social customs, ignoring advice pertaining to one's reputation, and finally
confronting reality. 
From her first tete-a-tete with Winterbourne and until her last, Miss Miller defies all
social customs pertinent in European society. During Winterbourne's first introduction to
Miss Miller, to his surprise, she accepts his extremely bold decision to travel to the
Castle without knowing if he was a respectable man. Later that same evening they met once
more in the garden. She asked Winterbourne to take her out for a boat ride, but after
gaining permission from her mother, she decided she would rather not go if no one would
put up a fuss about her doing something so irrational. Winterbourne was left alone to
ponder her whims and odd form of coquetry. After their parting, both agreed to meet again
in Geneva, Italy. When Winterbourne first arrived in Geneva, he received news of Miss
Miller's latest escapades from his very reputable aunt. During her stay in Geneva, her
gentleman society was composed of "half a dozen of the regular Roman fortune hunters." As
an American girl, she stayed true to her own values although she was in a foreign land.
Daisy Miller was unaware of the social structure that depends on gender and class
oppression and she developed a reputation for herself that would hinder her relationships
with upper society.
By preserving her American identity, the talk of Miss Miller's flirtatiousness and
unladylike behavior spread throughout Geneva and soon her reputation had grown bigger
than even she could handle. One evening while Miss Miller was with the company of
Winterbourne and Mrs. Walker, a dear friend, she informed her companions that she would
be leaving now to meet Giovanni, an Italian fortune hunter and "intimate friend," for a
walk. Winterbourne, knowing his objection would do no good, offered to at least walk her
to her friend so she would not be alone so late at night. Upon recognizing that Giovanni
was of bad character, he questioned her companion and immediately stated that he would
remain with her for the evening. She retorted seriously, "I have never allowed a
gentleman to dictate to me or interfere with anything I do." Winterbourne again warned
her of Giovanni and said that he was not the right type of man for her. She paid no heed
to his advice and quickly joined Giovanni. At this point, Mrs. Walker could take no more.
She met the group in her carriage and begged Miss Miller to come home with her for sake
of her reputation. After saying that she was old enough to be out at night, Mrs. Walker
bluntly stated that Miss Miller was also old enough to be talked about. Startled, Miss
Miller responded by saying that, "if this is improper, than I am all improper and you
must give me up." With that, Mrs. Walker and Winterbourne left their ignorant friend to
her companion Giovanni. At this point, Miss Miller's disregard toward her reputation and
her own well being cost her the respect of her own friends.
The repulse Miss Miller received from her friends was a rude awakening that caused her to
confront the reality of her situation. She soon attended her last party at Mrs. Walker's
home and was left by herself. For the first time, Winterbourne perceived that she was
embarrassed and ashamed. Another instance occurred one late summer night when
Winterbourne wandered into a Roman Coliseum and to his surprise found Miss Miller and
Giovanni. He pleaded with Miss Miller, not out of kindness, but merely for the sake of
her health, to return home for fear of catching Roman Fever. Miss Miller regarded his
request with a simple laugh and reassured him that "[she didn't] care whether [she had]
Roman fever or not!" Within only a few days, Winterbourne received news that Miss Miller
had become seriously ill and he went to visit her. A week later she died. Daisy Miller's
death is not a punishment, but a statement of her fearlessness. Instead of succumbing to
social demands, she meets her own demise. 
In conclusion, Daisy Miller emphasizes that a person who resists their customs of an area
will never be able to exist in his or her surroundings. Today people generally accept
values and morals similar to their families and friends. Anyone who tries to diverge from
the common path of "the way things are" should refer to the message of Henry James' story
that transcends all time and place.