Abstract An analysis of the character of Daisy and the American character as portrayed in the Henry James novel, "Daisy Miller." The paper connects the evaluation of Daisy to themes of larger concerns held by James, and discusses the importance of the social context for the themes in the novel.
From the Paper "This research examines the character of Daisy Miller in the novella of the same name by Henry James, with a view toward linking evaluations of that character to the larger themes of James's concern, including James's own assessment of the content of the American character. The importance of social context for the themes of Daisy Miller is difficult to overstate."
Abstract This paper analyzes the novel "Daisy Miller" by Henry James from the perspective of the Madonna-whore complex. As the paper explains, men who suffer from the Madonna-Whore complex believe that only good women deserve their love, while bad women are only good for sex. While these men seek out bad women to fulfill their sexual needs, the paper continues, they marry a good woman -- but are shocked thereafter when she expresses sexuality. So much so, that the woman is then seen not as a Madonna, but as a whore. This is the theme of Henry James novel "Daisy Miller", which this paper explores by examining James' portrayal of Winterbourne's emotionally ambivalent reactions and actions toward Daisy. The paper examines the social conventions of the time the story is set in, analyzes Daisy's sexuality and behavior, and critiques Winterbourne's actions -- which ultimately lead to Daisy's demise, and the proving of her innocence.
From the Paper "Winterbourne's attitude towards women is, in fact, hinted at in the narrator's very introduction. For, the narrator takes the trouble to inform the reader that Winterbourne was rumored to have a relationship with an older woman in Geneva (p. 4). The possible inference that can be drawn from this information is that Winterbourne may just suffer from a mother fixation or an Oedipus complex. Since the Oedipus complex is considered to be an important factor in creating the Madonna-Whore complex, the narrator's introduction of Winterbourne can be considered as indicative of the events still to unfold."
Abstract This paper discusses how in 1878, Henry James' "Daisy Miller" came under-fire by critics in America who felt insulted that they should be portrayed to the world by anything less than gentlemen and ladies. It looks at how the book is about Daisy Miller, a young American girl in Europe who innocently breaks social codes and puts herself, her family and Americans in general, up to ridicule. It examines how James had attempted to showcase traditional conventions as being outdated and how in his portrayal of Daisy as spontaneous and ignorant of social codes and traditions, he was merely expanding on his trademark theme and bringing these comments into the spotlight.
From the Paper "James? portrayal of Daisy's mother and family may be seen as the typical "dysfunctional" family today, yet in 1878, this portrayal was viewed as embarrassing for American women and families.
Daisy's mother, Mrs. Miller, does little to curb her children while they are in Europe, and though this might not have been typical of American parents, it did little to improve the perspectives of European readers on their American counterparts. It is a portrayal that is often stereotyped in Europe today ? the uncouth, impolite American tourist, and James? depiction of Daisy must have angered many people during a time when social civility and etiquette were an important aspect of daily life and ritual."
Abstract This paper discusses the character of Daisy Miller as found in "Daisy Miller", written by Henry James. The paper describes the times in which the book was set and the expectations of women in those times. The paper then discusses how Daisy Miller does not conform to the typical role of women of that era. It also shows how some of the other characters react to her.
From the Paper "It is evident that the character of Daisy was constantly misunderstood by the society of Europe in the late 1800s. The character was considered a disgrace to her gender and socially inferior because of elements in her character that could not be tolerated by the social elite. While it could be contended that Daisy Miller was attempting to rebel against the European upper class, or that she was irresponsible to her social position, Daisy Miller was simply being true to her American beliefs about gender. Women's Suffrage and the progress of women outside of the home framed Daisy's viewpoints on her existence. Once in Europe these notions began to shape her relationship with others, both of European and American backgrounds. As the Europeans were insisting that Daisy understand the European customs in relation to propriety, the same people were negligent in comprehending Daisy's American heritage. However, the misconceptions that occurred throughout the story demonstrated how assumptions only serve to create a wider gap of communication between all people. James shows his readers that the practice of guilt by means of assumption occurs in reality, as well as in fiction."
Abstract While "Daisy Miller" by Henry James precedes the modernist period, placed at the beginning of 1900, it is possible to distinguish his anticipation of modernism. This paper highlights several aspects of modernism, with reference to how these are incorporated in "Daisy Miller".
From the Paper "In questioning the sense of self, modernism reveals a certain innate dualism in the individual. The natural inclination is in continuous conflict with the rules of society. Butler refers to this as the "search for primal energies before ethics" (Butler 121). This is however not only inherently true of the individual, but also of the individual in relation to others in society. In expressing him- or herself, the individual finds a certain tension with the self-expression of others. In Daisy Miller this dualism can be found both within individuals and in society at large."
Abstract This paper is a comparative analysis of the characters of Daisy Buchanan and Myrtle Wilson from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Daisy is the wife of Tom Buchanan, and Myrtle the woman he is having an affair with. It looks at how these two women represent characters who are almost opposites in many regards and how the major differences include their wealth, their vitality, and their emotional ability.
From the Paper "Daisy and Myrtle are opposites in regard to their wealth. Daisy has wealth and all the material possessions she desires. In contrast, Myrtle lives closer to poverty. There is also a difference in their attitudes to wealth. Tom describes how Daisy uses her wealth to protect herself, as if having the money gives her value: ?They were careless people, Tom and Daisy -- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together" (Fitzgerald 152). Daisy is seen to be comfortable with her wealth. However at the same time, it does not bring her happiness."
Abstract This paper explains how the book presents a revealing case study of Frederick Winterbourne'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 examines how Winterbourne 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.
From the Paper "Winterbourne 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. While he was busy studying others in Geneva, he reveals his own snobbery and self-absorption. One of the first things we realize about Winterbourne is that he is in no way as innocent as his aunt believes him to be. (James 560) We know this because the narrator of the story has informed us of his interest in a "very clever foreign lady" (590). Winterbourne thinks it is perfectly fine for him to carry on in any manner that he finds suitable, but it is not "right" for Daisy to do the same."
Abstract This paper examines how the short stories, "Daisy Miller" by Henry James and "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin equally deal with society's expectations of women in the late 1800s. In particular, the paper looks at how there are many parallels within the themes, characters and message and how they both depict their central characters endeavoring to saw the cast that society has stringently put them in. The paper also shows how the main characters of both stories, Daisy Miller and Edna Pontellier, share similar traits and how immaturity and indecisiveness seem to plague these women in their quest to define themselves. The paper notes that a concluding comparison linking these two narratives is their ending, with both women, like the story, coming to their end.
From the Paper "Similarity lies in the two texts' addressing the roles of women in society and an attempt to define new roles for women. Daisy Miller, in Daisy Miller, is a young American girl traveling in Europe. She is commonly referred to throughout the text as, "a pretty American flirt (Lauter, 287)." Mr. Frederick Winterbourne, another central character in the text who is for a short time enamored by Daisy, states that Americans are "allowed" flirting. However, he says, "Miss Daisy Miller exceeded the liberal license allowed to these young ladies, it was probable that anything might be expected of her (Lauter, 291)." What separates Daisy Miller from proper young women is not only her highly flirtatious nature, but also her going out with men unaccompanied by her mother. In the late 1800's, it was improper for an unmarried woman to be with another man without a chaperone."
Abstract Within the story of "Daisy Miller", Henry James brings into question the benefits of European-American assimilation through three types of characters. The paper examines how the author manages to address social issues in a very amusing way.
From the Paper "In Daisy Miller, there are essentially three types of characters portrayed. First are the visiting Americans (i.e. the Miller family) who have brought with them the strange combination of vulgarity and innocence that James perceives as "typically American". Second are the Americans who have become "Europeanized" as a result of having spent the majority of their lives in Europe. James views these characters, namely Frederick Winterbourne and his headache-prone Aunt, Mrs. Costello, as cultured and sophisticated, yet also somewhat pretentious and shallow. The final type of character is the European-born, which is represented chiefly in the personas of Giovanelli and Eugenio."
Abstract The paper examines the social intention of Henry James when he wrote the novel. It shows that his 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 behavior. This narrative is analyzed in the paper showing how Daisy's friends and acquaintances are both charmed and repelled by her behavior.
From the Paper "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 in a place distant from his own home and by virtue of the fact that Miss Miller, herself, did not seem "in the least embarrassed herself" (part 1, p4). Winterbourne is also charmed by the fact that Daisy's reception of his presence was "singularly honest and fresh" (Part 1, p4)."
Tags: winterbourne, society, 19th, century, american, european, hypocrisy, innocence, miller
A comparative analysis of the characters of Blanche DuBois from "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams and Daisy Buchanan from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Abstract This paper discusses how no two characters in fiction symbolize the qualities of the neurotic, upper class Southern woman more than Tennessee Williams? Blanche DuBois in "A Streetcar Named Desire" and Daisy Buchanan in F. Scott Fitzgerald's ?The Great Gatsby.? It demonstrates how although different in many respects, both women are tragic contemporary figures of American literature.
From the Paper "Blanche has had a rather tragic that has left her emotionally starved and on the verge of a breakdown. She married at a young age, only to discover her husband was bi-sexual and when confronted committed suicide. This has haunted her and led her to numerous sexual partners, nameless faces actually. She was forced to sell the plantation due to the funeral bills from her parents? death. Now Blanche is essentially a pathetic middle-aged alcoholic pretending she is wealthier, younger and more beautiful than she has become. The pain of her past keeps Blanche from living in reality, however, she is aware of how she looks and shies from any direct light."
Tags: upper, class, southern, woman, suicide, death
Abstract This discusses and presents a theory about who was most responsible for the three deaths in "The Great Gatsby" by Scott Fitzgerald. The author of this paper presents a detailed explanation of why Daisy is the principle cause of the deaths even though many events actually led to them.
Abstract This six-page paper presents an in-depth character analysis of the Daisy Faye Buchanan who appears in The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald. The author of this paper prompts us to look at her motives and her actions to determine what type of person she was.
Abstract "The Great Gatsby" offers a wide range of themes: the Lost Generation, The American Dream, the decline of the west, among others. The paper shows, however, that the novel is also undeniably based on the lives of F. Scott Fitzgerald, his wife Zelda, and other people that Fitzgerald knew. The paper questions whether Daisy Buchanan is a fictionalized version of Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald.
From the Paper "By the time Scott was thirty, he was an alcoholic, barely able even to write when sober; and by the time Zelda was thirty, four years later, she had been institutionalized for madness, later diagnosed as schizophrenic. Although beyond the ken of the author in France, toiling away on his novel, the portent of alcoholism, madness, and promiscuity may have figured in his creative depiction of his once and future life."
Tags: Tom, Buchanan, bootlegger, Nick, Carraway, Long, Island
Abstract This paper argues that, in Henry James' "Daisy Miller" and F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby", the settings are significant to the depiction of the characters and of the main themes. The author points out that the general setting of "Daisy Miller" in Europe is important to the development of the main theme and to the designation of certain characters. The paper relates that the clash between the European and American culture is presented in the relationship between Daisy and Winterbourne. The author states that the settings of "The Great Gatsby" in eastern U.S.A., mostly in New York in the 1920s, are important to the theme of the connection between wealth, corruption and moral decay. The paper notes that the characters belong exclusively to a particular setting: Gatsby to the West Egg, Daisy to the East Egg, Myrtle to the Valley of Ashes and Nick to the Midwest.
From the Paper "The protagonist and the main character of the second story is Gatsby, a poor man who has made a fortune in illegal activities all in order to impress and win the love of a woman named Daisy. Unlike the Henry James's Daisy, Fitzgerald's Daisy is far from innocent. She is manipulative, careless and rather shallow. She marries a rich man and later has an affair with Gatsby out of boredom and for some fun. His death is tragic, but perhaps a more tragic is the fact that he is so obsessed with Daisy that he never realizes that she was simply not worth his affections. Daisy, Gatsby, Daisy's husband, and all their friends lead extravagant and carefree lives of the rich people in the East, lives which are very different from Nick's Midwest."
Tags: innocence rome extravagant midwest, new york
