"Daisy Miller: A Study"

Charles So
English 48B
Feb. 14 2011
Journal for James

Author Quote:

"She paused again for an instant; she was looking at Winterbourne with all her prettiness in her lively eyes and in her light, slightly monotonous smile. "I have always had," she said, "a great deal of gentlemen's society." Poor Winterbourne was amused, perplexed, and decidedly charmed. He had never yet heard a young girl express herself in just this fashion" (396-397)

 Internet Quote:

"Despite changes in times and customs, the forthright if naive Daisy can still cast a spell on today's readers. The touches of humor help offset the pathos of the tale, and the supporting cast is vividly portrayed. While some may feel that James tries to overload a simple story with too many trappings of tragedy, few readers will be unaffected by Daisy's fate." (Wikipedia)

Summary:

This quote from Henry James's "Daisy Miller:" i feel is in a way the thesis of the entire story, as it captures the whole idea of the interaction and meaning between Winterbourne and Miss Miller. Through the quote the reader can get a feel of the intimate attraction Miss Miller can put on a man through her vivacious charisma. Her charisma's affect can be measured by Winterbourne who is at a stupor with Daisy's demeanor. Through this quote you can sense her affects on Winterbourne is very impressionable and lasting.

Personal Opinion:

I honestly feel that Daisy till this day is still in many ways the All American Girl, whatever that is. Her attitude and characteristics seem very much the demeanor of todays youths and young adults. She portrays a women who is disobeying conformity in wreckless abandonment and yet she has full control as she knows in a way what she is doing and how people might percieve her actions. Daisy Miller can be even looked as a message of the everchanging state in the U.S. as Winterbourne an American is very perplexed and confused by Daisy's mentality in which he feels he has lost touch with the societal ways back at home. The angles and perceptions of people given in this writing to me was very stimulating as it portrayed somewhat of a upper class way of thinking. Far more interesting was Daisy as her character was obviously beautiful but her demeanor made her even more pleasing.