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Kelsey Langland-Hayes

Dr. Crews

ENGL 203

16 February 2019

Daisy Miller: Independent and Unashamed

The women of European high society feel pressure to conform to societal norms; society

expects 19th century women to submit to and depend on the men in their everyday lives. Their

society looks down on women who speak up or share their thoughts and opinions. Daisy Miller,

a wealthy, young girl from the United States, lives a life contrary to the one expected of

European high society women. Henry James writes Daisy in such an extreme manner that other

characters question her behavior. In Daisy Miller, Henry James contrasts Daisy's

straightforwardness and independence with the European high society expectations of women to

follow and depend on a man to illustrate American society’s blunt individualism.

The characteristics of American society consist of freedom of speech and self-reliance.

Contrasting European high society, Americans tend to voice their opinions, even if others do not

necessarily agree with these opinions. Furthermore, American culture emphasizes the rights of

the individual and fighting for those rights. By learning to speak one’s mind, Americans can

improve their autonomy and develop into independent individuals. American society encourages

people to learn how to take care of themselves and strive to climb the social ladder as strong,

independent individuals. According to American societal standards, people should speak their

minds freely and develop independence.

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In order to display American society’s blunt individualism, Henry James contrasts Daisy

Miller’s straightforwardness with European high society’s expectations of women. Whilst

women of this society tend to keep to themselves and refrain from sharing their opinions, Daisy

speaks without embellishing or skirting around the truth. For instance, Daisy tends to spend

much of her time with the opposite sex, and she does not even try to hide this fact. While

conversing with Winterbourne, she emphasizes the immense quantity of gentlemen friends that

she has back home in New York. Henry James writes, “‘I have always had,’ she said, ‘a great

deal of gentlemen's society’” (20). Perplexed by Daisy’s comments, Winterbourne has not had

the opportunity to hear a young girl voice her opinion in such a frank manner before. When

wishing Winterbourne goodnight, Daisy speaks candidly again. Specifically, James writes,

“‘Good night,’ she said; ‘I hope you are disappointed, or disgusted, or something!’” (48). Once

again, Winterbourne feels puzzled by Daisy’s word choice. Increasing the suspense, she finds

pleasure in leaving Winterbourne confused and longing to resolve the mystery surrounding her.

Moreover, after receiving criticism for walking the streets alone to meet Mr. Giovanelli, Daisy

responds somewhat tersely. Daisy declares, “‘I, thank goodness, am not a young lady of this

country. The young ladies of this country have a dreadfully poky time of it, so far as I can learn; I

don't see why I should change my habits for THEM’” (89). Daisy cannot stand the expectations

placed on women in this society. As a result, she speaks unabashedly and refuses to conform to

the ways of society. Through Daisy Miller’s straightforwardness and bluntness, Henry James

contrasts these qualities with European high society’s norms to display the blunt individualism of

American society.
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Through Daisy Miller’s characteristics of independence and autonomy, James accurately

expresses American society’s blunt individualism and its opposition to European high society.

Daisy Miller, a self-sufficient and self-reliant American woman, does not align with society’s

expectations of women to depend on and submit to their supposed authority, men. On the day

that Winterbourne and Daisy take the steamboat to the Castle of Chillon, Winterbourne “had

been a little afraid that she would talk loud, laugh overmuch, and even, perhaps, desire to move

about the boat a good deal” (50). Daisy does not submit to the authority of men and follow their

lead; however, as Winterbourne points out, she leads with confidence and without needing

anyone else’s permission. Even Winterbourne feels that Daisy has the potential to speak loudly

and act in such a way that other people may deem her actions as “socially inappropriate.”

Ignoring societal expectations, Daisy talks, laughs, and acts as she pleases. Despite Mrs.

Walker’s concern for Daisy walking alone, Daisy feels she can take care of herself and does not

need a chaperone. Mrs. Walker advises Daisy not to walk alone, but Daisy responds, “‘I'm not

going alone; I am going to meet a friend’” (68). Even though the other characters feel that Daisy

needs some sort of “protection,” Daisy wants to rely on herself and no one else. Soon after, Mrs.

Walker catches Daisy walking with two men, Mr. Giovanelli and Winterbourne; this goes against

their society’s custom. Mrs. Walker attempts to convince Daisy to ride in the carriage with her,

and she even suggests that she walk with her mother. Considering that Daisy is a strong,

independent woman, she finds offense in Mrs. Walker’s suggestion. James’s emphasizes, “‘With

my mother dear!’ exclaimed the young girl. Winterbourne saw that she scented interference. ‘My

mother never walked ten steps in her life. And then, you know,’ she added with a laugh, ‘I am

more than five years old’” (78). Likely to find a way around the rules, Daisy does not allow a
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man to influence her stability or self-confidence. Daisy Miller’s independence and autonomy

emphasize the differences in her American qualities and the European high society qualities.

Through the characters’ reactions to Daisy Miller’s behavior, Henry James contrasts

Daisy’s American blunt individualistic qualities with those of European high society. For

Winterbourne, he thinks that Daisy is “not a coquette in” the sense that she seems dangerous or

terrible, but “she was very unsophisticated; she was only a pretty American flirt” (21).

Winterbourne thinks of Daisy as an unconventional, independent woman. According to

Winterbourne’s aunt, James writes, “‘She is a young lady,’ said Mrs. Costello, ‘who has an

intimacy with her mamma's courier’” (28). Similar to Winterbourne, Mrs. Costello perceives

Daisy as a coquette and a tease. To Mrs. Walker, she seems unorthodox and individualistic.

Whilst society expects a woman to walk with a man accompanying her, Daisy is a free-spirited,

independent woman. Each of the characters’ views of Daisy Miller display the irregularity and

uncommonness of this odd American woman in comparison to a woman of European high

society.

By contrasting Daisy’s straightforwardness and independence with the European high

society standards for women to follow and obey a man, Henry James illustrates American

society’s blunt individualism. American society encourages people to speak their minds freely

and to have a voice. Furthermore, it urges people to develop autonomy and self-reliance. Daisy

Miller is not afraid to speak her mind or share her opinions. Spending much of her time with the

opposite sex, she openly discusses her multiple relationships with men. Moreover, Daisy Miller

is a free-spirited and individualistic woman who does not feel the need to walk with an escort. It

is clear she possesses the boldness to speak loudly, go where she pleases, and walk without
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anyone to accompany her. Even though the people around Daisy may have negative views of her

or spread rumors about her, she embraces her characteristics without shame. Not only does

Henry James illustrate America’s blunt individualism through Daisy Miller’s character, but he

also manifests the pressure that the women of European high society may feel to conform to

societal norms.
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Works Cited

James, Henry. Daisy Miller. vol. Original version, The Floating Press, 2009. EBSCOhost,

eres.regent.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=n

lebk&AN=313966&site=ehost-live.