Daisy's Ghost: A Feminist Reading by Daisy Miller Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The novel Daisy Miller is set in the late 18th century, in high-class European society. In that time period, feminism was misunderstood and even unrecognized by both genders and different classes. Often a feminist, such as a writer, was accused of plagiarism for her work, as critics assumed that no woman could create such original ideas. In other cases the authors would use pseudonyms to disguise their identity and thus avoid such dilemmas. Women were considered to lack independent ideals and originality in general. They were assumed to be submissive both to their husbands and to the traditions and values ​​of that time. This is how Daisy Miller's women are portrayed, which are in direct contrast to Daisy herself. Shortly after Daisy Miller was written, several literary magazines expressed their criticisms of Daisy. In 1879, one in particular reacted in a manner typical and expected for that period, and accurately reflected Daisy Miller's characters participating in the retribution of her actions. Lipponcott's Magazine wrote, "Miss Daisy Miller, in almost any circle of society in any city here, would be regarded with a pity akin to contempt" (What's in a Name? "Daisy Miller, Monteiro 252" by James). , Daisy is constantly berated for her rebellious actions by those who neither understand nor recognize her progressiveness. In the novel Daisy Miller, Daisy's death serves as an example of society's failure to recognize and understand feminism, and is made evident through character development, symbolism, and overall conflict. Daisy Miller is told almost exclusively through the perspective of Winterbourne, a young American gentleman who has lived much of his life in the city of Geneva. Calculating and observant, Winterbourne spends most of the novel analyzing Daisy and her movements. Although the focus of the novel is on Daisy, Winterbourne is the consciousness through which we perceive Daisy, and therefore the conflict. It is significant that the character through which we perceive Daisy is one who struggles to understand her. Winterbourne often notes Daisy's beauty, her graceful movements and her way of dressing: “She had a great taste in female beauty; he was devoted to observation and analysis; and concerning the face of this young woman he made several observations” – but fails to understand the reasons behind the socially erratic behavior consistently exhibited (James 16). He searches for a formula, a way to categorize Daisy into something understandable. However, it doesn't fit in, and so Winterbourne is left assuming that it was his mistakes and Daisy's inherent guilt that made her this way. “Winterbourne allowed himself only two possible visions of Daisy, good or bad, which does not suggest that he learned to discriminate in the “immense sensibility” of human experience” (Daisy Miller and the Metaphysicalian, Wilson and Westbrook 270). When Daisy dies, Winterbourne is sad, but almost relieved to be free from the confusion she has caused him. he had cared so much about the right way to regard Miss Daisy Miller” (James 141). With the occurrence of Daisy's death Winterbourne can return to her "study" and her normal way of life, normality being a life that coincides with society and her own. traditions and values, without the stress and distraction of Daisy's behavior, he realizes, however, too late, that he has misjudged Daisy, but he does not change "... He knows he haswronged Daisy because he stayed abroad too long,. he has become too rigid in his values. Yet his knowledge doesn't change him. The author's voice concludes the story by mocking that of Winterbourneritorno” (Daisy Miller: A Study of Changing Intentions, Ohmann 6). Since Winterbourne represents assimilation into European mores, his late revelation represents society's failure and disdain for Daisy's progressive and independent actions. The other man in Daisy's life is captured in the charming and practiced Italian, Giovanelli. A rather vague character, of unknown origins and properly described as such: “Giovanelli chatted and joked and made himself wonderfully pleasant. It was true that if it was an imitation, the imitation was brilliant” (James 96). Playing the role of Daisy's casual love interest, Giovanelli represents the flirtatious native and serves as a symbol of Daisy's rebellion. “Daisy was willing to rely on her own judgment and therefore befriend Giovanelli in defiance of society…” (Daisy Miller, Western Hero, Coffin 273). The similarities between Daisy and Giovanelli are also significant. Both natural flirts, they are not afraid to do what they want, yet they hold each other in high regard. Which is perhaps what they have in common. “Only the fortune hunter Giovanelli, observing society with some objectivity, is able to intuit that Daisy is 'the most innocent' of creatures who simply does what she pleases” (Coffin 273). Giovanelli certainly seems more aware of the implications of his behavior, as his actions are practiced and made “pleasant.” “He must have known, without needing any information from Mrs. Walker, that Daisy's reputation would be damaged if she walked with him on the Pincio” (Wilson and Westbrook 273). However, Giovanelli is simply warned, while Daisy is constantly chastised and convinced to change her behavior. As a woman, her actions are not marginally supported by her society. Giovanelli on the other hand, at least we understand it. “However, it is not the familiar foreign body that threatens American integrity; Giovanelli, as Mrs. Walker demonstrates, is easily studied” (Reassembling Daisy Miller, Wardley 246). It has a place in society, albeit not an entirely respectable one. She simply continues her life, like Winterbourne, while Daisy dies “…a victim of rigid social conventions” (The Revision of Daisy Miller, Dunbar 311). An example for society's inability to understand and accept his actions. Another younger man in Daisy's life is her younger brother, Randolph. Winterbourne's first impression of this young American is one that captures the turbulence and boldness of the stereotypical American male. "'Will you give me a sugar cube?' he asked in a small, harsh voice, an immature voice and yet, somehow, not young” (James 8) Some of Winterbourne's first comments concern Randolph's education, as his behavior and knowledge seem to Winterbourne. irregular. Randolph serves as an opening for Daisy and his personality is mirrored in that of Daisy. “Both are in a primordial state of development. Both follow their inclinations appropriate” (Wilson and Westbrook 276). Another significance of Winterbourne meeting Daisy's younger brother first is that Winterbourne now expects Daisy to become “an American girl” (James 9). ; before meeting Daisy Winterbourne he has already formed an opinion. In addition to the symbolic men in Daisy Miller, women, excluding Daisy herself, act as secondary characters in the conflict and development of the novel. TOstarting with Daisy's mother, Mrs. Miller, a vague, somewhat weak and ineffective mother, her presence is often not physically noticed. This lack of maternal voice contributes to Daisy's death being inevitable. Without a strong mother figure, the symbolism of Daisy's innocence is exemplified. “Mrs. Miller's happy indifference to her daughter's position provides a clue to Daisy's classic nonchalance” (Archetypes of American Innocence: Lydia Blood and Daisy Miller. Kar 33). Her mother also fails to understand her, for lack of attempts or lack of general skill, the conclusion remains the same: Daisy's death occurs while her mother is represented by a somewhat foolish, outcast and idle figure Mrs. Walker, a stern European woman, scolds Mrs. Miller , saying, “Have you ever seen anything so imbecilic as her mother?” (James 98) does not scold her daughter, because she sees no guilt in her actions, is unaware of the social blasphemy Daisy is committing, and of the ostracism she is receiving. In contrast, Daisy is persecuted for her actions by the other two women present, Mrs. Costello and Mrs. Walker is Winterbourne's aunt 'Europe of the late 1800s. It is refined, correct and precisely opposite to everything that Daisy embodies. “His principles of value have long been established: he has only to apply them” (Ohmann 5). Mrs. Costello is constantly engaged in severe criticism of Daisy's behavior, she is baffled that anyone could behave so vulgarly. She states, "I'm an old woman, but I'm not too old, thank goodness, to be shocked!" (James 40). Society accepts and even reveres Mrs. Costello, while ostracising Daisy. Mrs. Costello is right, and so, like her opposite, Daisy is wrong. It is inevitable that Daisy dies, because Mrs. Costello, who represents society, continues to live. “In the social evaluation with which we are concerned here, the impulse towards death appears motivated by the needs of the victim's relationship with society: society requires the sacrifice of its opponents” (Daisy Miller, Tradition, and the European Heroine, Deakin 46 ). Daisy's behavior is condemned without trial and she is put to death. The other woman in Daisy's life is Mrs. Walker, who differs from Mrs. Costello in how she appears moderately concerned about Daisy's well-being. Although she is stern in her manner and scolds her, she does not do so with the same vehement energy as Mrs. Costello. It is also interesting to note that Mrs. Walker is a widow, an independent woman living far from her home country in Europe. He is strong and expresses his opinion, but his opinion parallels the rigidity of European customs. This does not bode well for Daisy, as she is alone in her rebellious actions. Mrs. Walker is well aware of social mores, as an assimilated American, and tries time and again to dissuade Daisy from these actions. Some comments include: “I don't think it's safe, my dear,” “It's really too terrible...that girl shouldn't do this kind of thing. He must not come here with you two men. Fifty people noticed it” (James 86, 98). She too is convinced that Daisy's actions are horribly vulgar, and although she tries to straighten Daisy's path with scolding, she ultimately condemns Daisy to her fate. Daisy Miller is loaded with symbolism, from the characters listed above to the setting and various landmarks. First there is Daisy's symbolism, both in her name and her behavior. The daisy is a common flower that grows wildly, often in bright yellow or white colors and associated with cheer and joy.The surname Miller is also extremely common. “And in his choice of name, Daisy, he may have suggested her simplicity and spontaneous beauty” (Ohmann 9). And so Daisy, in name only, symbolizes commonality, cheerfulness and a kind of wildness. These characteristics reflect her naive and rebellious personality and support her as a symbol of innocence and as a character who demonstrates reluctance to assimilate to the high values ​​and expectations of European society. “'I don't think I want to know what you mean... I don't think I'd like it'” (James 102). Furthermore, “Daisy only vaguely understands the ideal of freedom she symbolizes” (Deakon 56). Because of her negligence in conforming, "society must punish her; one might even say if it sees her death as anything more than an accident, claim her as a victim" (Deakon 56). The name Winterbourne, with the root winter, connotes coldness and frigidity. This juxtaposition of Daisy and Winterbourne's simple names symbolizes the stark differences present in their characters. Namely the differences in how they behave, with Winterbourne voluntarily assimilating into European ways and Daisy blatantly ignoring them. Winterbourne embodies society and its inability to recognize and understand feminism, which is Daisy Miller. “Daisy baffles Winterbourne… with her lack of complexity and the openness of her motivations. He, like other sophisticates, cannot read simplicity. This same inability, of course, also causes Roman society to reject Daisy” (Coffin 273). Daisy is certainly not the perfect feminist, but whether she is fully aware of her actions or is patently unaware and innocent is irrelevant to the ultimate effect of her being different and society's inability to accept or even understand her. as a loose martyr of feminism is the Colosseum. In ancient Rome this monumental piece of architecture was often used to entertain the masses through gladiatorial fights, where thousands of individuals, against their will, were murdered for the sake of entertainment. It embodies a place of sacrificed innocence. Daisy's reasoning for visiting the Colosseum is one of simplicity and innocence, stating, "I was obliged to see the Colosseum by moonlight: I would not have wanted to go home without that..." (James 144). It is on this deceptive basis that Daisy contracts malaria or, as it is called in the novel, “Roman fever”. “But the Colosseum is also dangerous, because malaria lurks here, a mysterious malignant tumor inseparable from the beauty and charm of its environment” (Deakon 54). Daisy's end is symbolized and foreshadowed in her visit to this monument of sacrifice and death. The setting of Daisy Miller also helps make Daisy's death an example. Overall, the setting is Europe, already foreshadowing Daisy's ostracism. Because she and her family are not in their home environment, it is foreign to them, just as their actions, especially Daisy's, are foreign to those Americans assimilated into European mores. interpretation of Daisy's character from the conventional emphasis on her innocence to her equally significant rebellious independence. His social ostracism and death become the model one would expect of the champion and martyr of freedom” (Deakon 45). More specifically, there is Rome, where Daisy finds herself in the second half of the novel. Rome, as the birthplace of a great and glorious civilization, was also a place of great loss and decay. This contrast is reflected in Daisy's behavior compared to that of the traditions of European high society. Furthermore, Daisy is the emblem of youth and innocence, while Rome is a sophisticated and refined place. Daisy stands out like a sore thumb.