The Character of Daisy in Henry James Daisy Miller Essay

What is the purpose of Daisy in the novel Daisy Miller by Henry James? Why did James create such a beguiling and bewildering character? Since the publication of Jamess novel in 1878, Daisy has worn several labels, among them flirt, innocent, and American Girl. Daisys representation of an American Girl of the late 19th century is evident. Her free-spiritedness and individuality reflect the social movement of the American middle-class. The question of Daisys innocence, however, remains unanswered. One of the most interesting aspects about Daisy is her distance from the reader. The reader is not given access to Daisys inner thoughts or emotions. Instead, the reader must observe Daisy through the limited perception†¦show more content†¦Henry Jamess Daisy, however, is a free-spirited individual who ignores class structures and customary behavior...treating all she meets as equal human beings (Hocks 33). At first Winterbourne is enchanted by Daisys freshness and spontanei ty. But eventually, under his aunts influence, he begins to turn away from Daisy and the freedom she offers. He vacillates from thinking of her as pretty and charming to regarding her, as his aunt does, as common and rather wild (James 461). One reason for Winterbournes changing opinions about Daisy is that she associates with people of lower classes. She talks to chambermaids and couriers, for instance. But most damning is her friendship with the Italian music-master, Mr. Giovanelli, who is socially unacceptable to Winterbourne and his aunt. Daisys close friendship with Giovanelli lessens her chances of being accepted by Mrs. Costello and her contemporaries. Daisys relationship with Giovanelli leads to Winterbournes conviction that she is wanting in a certain indispensable delicacy (James 477). Thus, in Winterbournes eyes, Daisy is not worthy of his respect. Another way in which Daisys free-spiritedness fails to change Winterbourne is that it threatens his masculinity. According to critic Robert Weisbuchs article Winterbourne and the Doom of Manhood in Daisy Miller, Winterbourne is a misogynist, or hater of women, who blame(s) evil on women (PollakShow MoreRelatedCharacter Analysis of Winterborne in Henry James Daisy Miller1262 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Winterborne: An Examination of Thought Process In the novella Daisy Miller by Henry James, the main character Winterbourne, exhibits one of the main characteristic of critical thinking: Intellectual humility. Intellectual humility is defined as having a lucid awareness of the limits of ones knowledge, not to mention a consciousness of any potential internal biases or ego (criticalthinking.org, 2012). 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