Essay – Literary Criticism and Daisy Miller

Literary critic Fred B. McEwen wrote the following explanation of Daisy Miller for
the Magill Critical Survey of Long Fiction:

“The complexity of the moral nuances of the story is revealed when one remembers
that Winterbourne, who is regarded as quite the perfect young gentleman and is welcomed in
the best society, has a mistress back in Geneva. Clearly, in that ‘best’ society what matters is
not virtue (Daisy is quite guiltless of any actual wrongdoing) but the appearance of it—
Winterbourne may not be virtuous, but he is discreet. The old theme of appearance versus
reality thus emerges in this story, but with social implications not found in the work of other
authors. To James, one of the most difficult problems for Americans trying to come to terms
with Europe is that the appearance of virtue often counts for more than reality…”

Your task is to write an essay responding to McEwen.

GUIDELINES
• Write a full essay—introduction, multiple body paragraphs, conclusion.
• Your introduction should set the focus for your paper:
o Raise the idea/concept you’ll discuss
o Refer to the text you are analyzing
o Quote and explain at least one sentence by McEwen (you may quote multiple lines
if you wish)
o End the intro with your thesis.
• Use specific details from Daisy Miller to support your analysis, including direct
quotations. (Please note that quotes should be used for significant lines with phrases
worthy of analysis; do not use quotes merely to establish plot points.)
• Cite details from the text using proper MLA format. EX: (James line 1071).