Mrs. Walker needs to mind her own business! ( )

A 19th century tale of an innocent, brash young American girl ("very pretty" we are frequently told) in Europe who is seemingly oblivious to the strict standards of behavior that society circles expect, acting as she pleases with whom she pleases, fascinating and confusing her admirer/critic Winterbourne, and scandalizing others of her strata.

The story is more humorous than I had expected, knowing its theme and tragic end before beforehand, and I quite enjoyed it. Seeing the story as an allegory of a young American nation that is more carefree and perhaps egalitarian than its stodgy, class-ridden European elders adds a thought-provoking dimension.

The ending, of course, is a bit unfortunate to the contemporary mind. The young woman who dares to have her own mind and her own will is made to die as a direct result of those characteristics. However I don't think James intended this as a negative comment on women's independence or strong willed behavior or such, but rather as a device to affect Winterbourne's opinion of Daisy, as he confesses in the end, after much thought, of having done her an injustice in coming to a negative opinion of her character.

Finally, love this:

"I've offered you excellent advice," the young man permitted himself to growl.

"I prefer weak tea!" cried Daisy, and she went off with the brilliant Giovanelli. ( )

Interessant novella with a surprise ending ( )

I think Daisy Miller can be summed up in one simple question: Do you want to fit in with society or do you want to be happy? Unfortunately, it's usually impossible to do both well -- no matter what era of history you've lived in.

Daisy is my current favorite heroine. Like Winterbourne's first impression, I find her openness and realness refreshing. Mrs Costello’s self-righteous snootiness toward Daisy’s family makes me proud to be an average American girl.

At first I asked myself, "Is Daisy somewhat of an Elizabeth Bennet who ignores social convention when it conflicts with her own heart? Is she that deep?" Later I decided she's more of a Lydia --- which isn't all bad.

This story confirms what I’ve often thought— that much of Victorian era stuffiness is blamed on the men, but was actually often perpetuated by women.

How different this story would have been had Winterbourne gone with his first instincts and chosen not to judge someone based on the opinions of others.

Throughout the story, the reader second guesses Daisy at every turn. Is she as innocent as she seems? Is she purposefully causing offense to society and embarrassing her fellow Americans intentionally? In a response letter to author E. Lynn Linton, James attempts to settle a dispute between friends by confirming that his character, Daisy, was innocent. He says,

"The whole idea of the story is the little tragedy of a light, thin, natural, unsuspecting creature being sacrificed, as it were, to a social rumpus that went on quite over her head & to which she stood in no measurable relation." ( )

Daisy Miller (trad. Lázaro Ros)
Henry James
Publicado: 1878 | 64 páginas
Relato Drama

En Daisy Miller de nuevo nos hallamos ante uno de los temas recurrentes en la obra de Henry James: el contraste entre dos modos de vida, entre la sociedad europea y la sociedad americana, ambas entrañablemente queridas por el autor y ambas minuciosamente analizadas a lo largo de su obra.Pero si en esta breve novela, publicada por primera vez en 1878, nos encontramos ante la crónica de unas páginas de la historia de finales del siglo pasado, no es menos cierto que Henry James nos ofrece a su vez una historia de siempre y para siempre: el retrato de una mujer, una muchacha espontánea y natural, poco importa si norteamericana o europea, que defiende su libertad a pesar de la incomprensión, la crítica e incluso el desprecio que despierta su comportamiento desinhibido entre quienes la rodean.Daisy Miller, sin embargo, segura de sí misma, permanece fiel a sus ideas.