Daisy Miller
Paper Written by N.H
The alluring and effective element of the novella Daisy Miller is Henry James ironic use of the unruly behavior of what should have been an innocent girly-girl. This becomes amplified when the leading protagonist in the text, Daisy Miller, demises signifying the death of any unrestrained female. Henry James’ novella “Daisy Miller” portrays an unruly protagonist that rebels and violates the norms of femininity in nineteenth century society. However, the realist heroine, Daisy Miller, fails to rebel against society, becomes silenced from malaria, and perishes. This elucidated the ways a lady must remain submissive and orderly unless she is willing to live a short life span just as the flower Daisy.
The ending of Henry James’ novella portrays the leading character Daisy Miller as quite the realist heroine. Daisy Miller tries to live life as the new woman that sways the ideas and perspective of the nineteenth century role of a young lady. She accomplishes the role of the new woman by constantly defying society and doing what she feels is morally acceptable rather than others suggestions. She constantly ran around in the dark of the night, attended parties with strange men and refused to be submissive. For instance, a defining moment is shown in the text when Mrs. Walker or in other words, “society” explains to Ms. Daisy Miller her ways are improper; it is completely inappropriate to walk around with men in the hours of the night. In response to Mrs. Walker, Daisy Miller states, “If this is improper then I am all improper, and you must give me up.” (43) Showing that although Ms. Miller means no harm, she will not put an end to her way of life. In fact she feels her way of life is so justified and lively that she states “I, thank goodness, am not a young lady of this country. The young ladies of this country have a dreadfully pokey time of it…. I don’t see why I should change my habits for them.” (60) This statement exemplifies Daisy Millers
The alluring and effective element of the novella Daisy Miller is Henry James ironic use of the unruly behavior of what should have been an innocent girly-girl. This becomes amplified when the leading protagonist in the text, Daisy Miller, demises signifying the death of any unrestrained female. Henry James’ novella “Daisy Miller” portrays an unruly protagonist that rebels and violates the norms of femininity in nineteenth century society. However, the realist heroine, Daisy Miller, fails to rebel against society, becomes silenced from malaria, and perishes. This elucidated the ways a lady must remain submissive and orderly unless she is willing to live a short life span just as the flower Daisy.
The ending of Henry James’ novella portrays the leading character Daisy Miller as quite the realist heroine. Daisy Miller tries to live life as the new woman that sways the ideas and perspective of the nineteenth century role of a young lady. She accomplishes the role of the new woman by constantly defying society and doing what she feels is morally acceptable rather than others suggestions. She constantly ran around in the dark of the night, attended parties with strange men and refused to be submissive. For instance, a defining moment is shown in the text when Mrs. Walker or in other words, “society” explains to Ms. Daisy Miller her ways are improper; it is completely inappropriate to walk around with men in the hours of the night. In response to Mrs. Walker, Daisy Miller states, “If this is improper then I am all improper, and you must give me up.” (43) Showing that although Ms. Miller means no harm, she will not put an end to her way of life. In fact she feels her way of life is so justified and lively that she states “I, thank goodness, am not a young lady of this country. The young ladies of this country have a dreadfully pokey time of it…. I don’t see why I should change my habits for them.” (60) This statement exemplifies Daisy Millers