Daisy Miller: Difference between revisions

Winterbourne must resolve a dilemma: Is Daisy simply an innocent American girl worth thinking well of? Or is she really as senseless and vulgar as everyone says she is and not worthy of all the anxiety he suffers trying to figure it out? He finally decides she does not deserve his efforts to think well of her when he finds her hanging out with Giovanelli in the Colosseum in the middle of the night, which everyone knows is the perfect time for contracting the deadly Roman fever (malaria, transmitted chiefly by the mosquitoes that came out after dark). He insists he doesn't even care if what she told him about being engaged was true or a joke.

 

 

James and his friend William Dean Howells spent many a night banging their heads against the wall over how many American readers [[Completely Missing the Point|thought Daisy was an insult to Americans]] when, clearly, James was trying to insult ''the Americans who ostracized her just for not being a snob!'' Sadly, they proved James' point all too well, rejecting the bold girl as if they, like their counterparts within the story, "desired to express to observant Europeans the great truth that, though Miss Daisy Miller was a young American lady, her behavior was not representative -- was regarded by her compatriots as abnormal." [[Suzumiya Haruhi|Sadly, some worlds just do not want to be saved and overloaded with fun.]]

'''Winterbourne:''' I have offered you advice.<br />

'''Daisy:''' I prefer weak tea! }}

{{quote| '''Winterbourne:''' There shall be nothing scandalous in my attentions to her.<br />

'''Mrs. Walker:''' There certainly will be in the way she takes them. }}

'''Giovanelli:''' For myself I had no fear; and she wanted to go.<br />

'''Winterbourne:''' That was no reason! }}

* [[No Hugging, No Kissing]]

* [[Operation: Jealousy]]: Possibly Daisy's flirting with Giovanelli.