Daisy Miller
(Henry James)
Henry James, much like other authors around the twentieth century, believes that society is all powerful, even to the extent that it obliterates any moral impulses that we have been born with. In A Portrait of Daisy Miller, the embodiment of a completely naive American girl is presented in the character of Daisy, unaware of the rules of European society. Even though Winterbourne, the protagonist, readily acknowledges the fact that she is ?common? (337) and ?uncultivated? (334), he cannot help his fascination with her fresh, ?unsophisticated? (331) elegance. Her beauty and simplicity of manner is something that he often remarks on, even describing her as a ?sylph? (335). However, throughout his interactions with Daisy, Winterbourne does not have a single moment when he is able to free himself from society?s conventions. He wonders constantly at ?the conditions and limitations of one?s intercourse with a pretty American flirt? (331), unable to simply act naturally and be himself. In fact, he openly admits that ?by instinct, he should not appreciate her justly? (335). In this way, Winterbourne embodies a man whose individuality has been completely obliterated by society. Thus, when he meets Daisy, a girl whose actions show a complete disregard for societal conventions, the only possible result is in her termination. When Winterbourne encounters Daisy in the Colosseum, he finally makes up his mind that she is ?a young lady whom a gentleman need no longer be at pains to respect? (361) and his words ?cuts? her accordingly (361). In effect, this ?cut? metaphorically led to Daisy?s death. The world that James presents to us is an extremely chaotic one, which is why he chooses single consciousness as the method of narration to create a structured and meaningful version of this world through the eyes of one person. This effectively limits the reader to only Winterbourne?s thoughts and emotions. What happens within Daisy?s mind remains hidden, and we are only able to judge her, as Winterbourne does, through her external actions. If Daisy had only trespassed society laws mentally, she would not have met with the same tragic end. This fact can most clearly be seen when examining how Mrs. Walker passes judgment upon Daisy, telling her that her actions are ?not the custom here? (350). In reality, she has absolutely no interest Daisy?s inner motives or intentions whatsoever when she ?walk?with?two men? (349), and does not care whether or not she is in fact, ?a nice girl? (349). By choosing to completely eliminate Daisy?s thoughts, James underlines the fact that internal rebellions do not play a role in societal judgments; overt actions and indiscretions are the sole cause of Daisy being ?cut? by this lady of society, and what led to her ultimate downfall.
Resumos Relacionados
- Daisy Miller
- The Great Gatsby
- Daisy Miller
- The Great Gatsby
- Daisy Miller (daisy Miller)
|
|