Daisy Miller Essays (Examples)

Daisy Miller

In writing the story of "Daisy Miller," Henry James's intention was to point out the rigidity and hypocrisy of 19th century American and European society in not recognizing the difference between innocence and courage and wanton behaviour. Henry James's intention is defined and demonstrated almost right through the narrative by the way Daisy's friends and acquaintances are both charmed and repelled by her behaviour. People who meet her are attracted by her freshness and candidness while at the same time they are confused and cannot accept her open flaunting of established norms of society.

The first evidence of this is clearly evident in Winterbourne's very first encounter with Daisy where he hesitates to open a conversation with her given his schooling of "In Geneva...as a young man was not at liberty to speak to a young unmarried lady" (Part1. p2). Yet, he is encouraged by the opportunity presented…

Thus, what shocks him, like all men who suffer from a Madonna-hore complex, is that a seeming innocent like Daisy could so easily express her fondness for what she terms as her "intimate" gentlemen friends. Indeed, interbourne's views on good girls and bad ones come through very clearly in the manner in which the narrator describes his frame of mind, when he is reflecting on Daisy's budding relationship with Giovanelli: "Nevertheless," interbourne said to himself, "A nice girl ought to know!" And then he came back to the dreadful question of whether this was in fact a nice girl. ould a nice girl - even allowing for her being a little American flirt - make a rendezvous with a presumably low-lived foreigner? (p. 50-51)

Of course, two other factors must be taken into consideration before conclusively determining whether interbourne did, in fact, possess a Madonna-hore complex. The first of these…

Daisy Miller, the heroine he created in 1878 in a novelette by the same name, Henry James styled a protagonist who is both quintessentially American and absolutely feminine. Indeed, beyond forwarding the action of the story itself, Daisy may also be seen as a device created by James to help his readers -- both American and European -- understand what it was to be a young American women in the decades just after the Civil War.

The story follows Daisy as she travels through Europe and encounters a number of compatriots who have become in many ways more European than the real Europeans: These resettled Americans are intent on enforcing the morality and mores of established (and in at least some ways antiquated) European communities. Daisy is herself not so much intent on violating these established ways of behaving as she is inured to them. As an American, they are…

Daisy Miller and American Culture

hat is a literary work? This is an articulation of what the author thinks, it is where he or she pours his emotions, expressions, and imagination. Since every person is usually a member of a certain society, there is often a close relationship between what an author thinks and what he conveys in his literary work. Authors often get inspired to create work based on the socioeconomic conditions surrounding them or the reality they face. This is why it has been frequently argued that most literary works are an image of what is happening in the society. This is the same argument put forth by authors Austin arren and Rene ellek in their work Theory of Literature in which they state that literature is a social creation that utilizes devices such as metaphors and symbolism to communicate social issues. Moreover, the two argue that, literature…

Henry James' Daisy Miller

Henry James' short story, "Daisy Miller: A Cast Study" is certainly as study of Daisy Miller's character, but it is also a very revealing case study of Frederick interbourne's character as well. By taking a close look at his character, we can learn how he fails to make a correct judgment of Daisy and therefore fails to learn anything about himself or the society in which he lives. This paper will examine how interbourne succumbs to the attitudes of the people in Geneva despite his own inclinations and misjudges Daisy; thus forgoing the opportunity to become more of a man.

interbourne is an excellent case study because he represents how individuals can be influenced by the opinions of others to the point of making false assumptions. hile he was busy studying others in Geneva, he reveals his own snobbery and self-absorption. One of the first things…

" (Henry James, p.45)

Winterbourne knew that Daisy was basically a very innocent person and it was her innocence that was responsible for her disposition. Huck Finn was also guided by his innocent and generous heart. He tries to seek answers to moral issues through his own heart than any ill-guided dictates of the society. The most enlightening moment for him comes when he is torn between returning Jim to Miss Watson and rescuing him from slavery. He resolves the issue by thinking of Jim's human worth and deciding that he may go to hell for rescuing him but so be it.

"And got to thinking over our trip down the river; and I see Jim before me all the time: in the day and in the night-time, sometimes moonlight, sometimes storms, and we a-floating along, talking and singing and laughing. But somehow I couldn't seem to strike no places…

Henry James

Scheiber, Andrew J. Embedded Narratives of Science and Culture in James's 'Daisy Miller'. College Literature 21.2 (1994): 75-88.

In this article, Andrew Scheiber explores the scientific concepts that lie in the social relationship of the story's characters. Scheiber, perhaps, found that a discussion of this would be appropriate to enable the reader of the novella understand the rationales behind the differences between the story's characters in terms of social relationship.

Scheiber discusses 4 subtopics in the article. First is the Introduction in which the encounters of Henry James with various scientific philosophers were told. Specifically on the theories of human variations, Scheiber discusses how theories of such were incorporated in the works of James. The second topic was Winterbourne as Scientific Historian. Here, Winterbourne's nature of categorizing his subjects, such as the observations he inferred about Daisy, was explained. The third topic was Culture, Aesthetics, and Morality. It…

Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane details the life and experiences of Henry Fleming, who encounters great conflict between overcoming his fear of war and death and becoming a glorious fighter for his country in the battlefield. Published in the 19th century, Crane's novel evokes an idealist picture of nationalism, patriotism, and loyalty in America, especially in its war efforts. Fleming's character can be considered as the epitome of an individual who experiences internal conflict between following his heart or mind. Henry's mind tells him that he should give up fighting in the war because it only results to numerous deaths, wherein soldiers fighting for their country end up getting wounded, or worse, killed. However, eventually, as he was overcome with guilt over his cowardice and fear of death and war, Henry followed his mother's advice, following his heart. By being true to himself, he won and survived the…

interbourne is no doubt attracted to Daisy and is proud to be seen with her on the way to the Chillon. He simply cannot allow himself to be with her because he is too concerned with what others might be thinking. For example, he considers what others are thinking as they look at her "hard" (111) but is overcome with "satisfaction in his pretty companion's distinguished air" (111). However, interbourne cannot completely escape his social training, which is illustrated in his concern over the prospect that Daisy might "talk loud" (111) or "laugh overmuch" (111). Here we see that interbourne cannot relax and enjoy the company of this girl that seems to attract so much undesired attention. interbourne also has outside influences working against him in the area of snobbery. His aunt wastes no time telling him that she disapproves of Daisy, believing her to be "dreadful" (124) and that…

Realist, Henry James

Henry James stands alone among nineteenth-century United States writers. He is known primarily as a realist novel writer, though his novels and short stories include a wide variety of definitions. According to Paul Lauter, James was the first writer in English to see the "high artistic potential of the novel as a form" (Lauter 548). His fiction has attracted many sophisticated readers who regard him as a master craftsman. James is able offer valuable insights into the human psyche, often enhanced with subtly and woven with delicate strands that often unravel a deeper truth.

Henry James explained that the most important definition of the novel is something that represent a "personal and direct impression of life" (Lauter 548). He felt that the overall success of a novel depended on the impression it made on the reader and how well it dealt with the human experience in all…

This style is in stark contrast to the writing style of Mark Twain, despite the fact that both authors are examining the broader aspects of life through their individual characters.

Twain and James also differ in the level of emotionality that is attached to their work. Twain writes with a vibrant passion, seeing the world through the lenses of his wide-eyed protagonists. There is a clear emotional connection between Twain and his characters, and the stories that he is telling. James, on the other hand, seems rather detached from his stories and his characters, almost as if he is viewing them from a distance. His description of Daisy's death is completely detached, as is the dialogue between the characters themselves. For example, even when Mrs. Costello is gossiping about the relationship between the Millers and Eugenio, she seems very reserved and staid -- not at all as if she were…

Scholastic: 1993

Curious young astronomers who ask, "what are stars made of?" And "Why do astronauts float in space?" will find answers here. A brief survey of the universe in a question and answers format.

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Paperback: 28 pages

ISBN: 0439465834

Tayleur, K. Excuses! Survive and Succeed by David Montimore Baxter. (Mankato, MN) Stone Arch Books: 2007

Young David Mortimore Baxter, who knows how to stay out of trouble, shares excuses for avoiding chores, bullies, homework, and vegetarian dinners. David experiences his fifteen minutes of fame and the impacts it has on his friends and family.

Reading level: 9-12

Paperback: 80 pages

ISBN: 1598892053

Williams, M. The Velveteen Rabbit. Square Fish: 2008.

By the time the velveteen rabbit is dirty, worn out, and about to be burned, he has almost given up hope of ever finding the magic of love. The original "Toy Story."

Reading level: Ages…

.....political ads changed over the last 60 years? Please use examples from the 1960's, 1980's and 2000's to support your answer.

In the beginning when TV was first used in the United States by the public, political ads were scarce. In the 1940's and even through into the 1960's presidential candidates reached out to meet voters, shaking hands and holding town-hall debates. (Suggett) It was a commitment to vie for presidency. However, as time passed and the mid 1960's brought some changes, political candidates aimed to ramp things up.

There was a need to address the masses in a more convenient form and so Lyndon B. Johnson aired the "Daisy Girl" commercial, effectively becoming the most controversial political ad of the time, and one of the most memorable. (Fowler, et al.) From there, change came to political ads in the form of negative ads such as the 1980 presidential campaign…