Daisy Miller
Daisy Miller shows the various tensions between Europe and America. Daisy Miller starts out in a hotel in Vevey, Switzerland when a gentleman named Winterbourne meets Daisy, a young, beautiful American girl traveling through Europe. Daisy and her mother, Mrs. Miller, are traveling all over Europe while her father is home in Schenectady, New York working. While Daisy is in Europe she does not accept European ideas to be her own, unlike many Americans living abroad, which are referred to as "Europeanized Americans". Winterbourne, to the contrary, has been living in Europe since he left America when he was younger. Winterbourne takes a strong liking to Daisy even though his aunt, Mrs. Costello does not approve of him even speaking to Daisy because she is not of a high enough rank for Winterbourne to even socialize with. Winterbourne and Daisy spend much time together, and even had a date at a close by castle named Chillon. Winterbourne then returns to Geneva to meet another woman, but agrees to meet-up with Daisy again in the winter. When winter comes around Winterbourne goes to Rome and finds out Daisy has been with a lot of Italian men of no important rank. While Winterbourne was away Daisy met one suitor, Mr. Giovanell
Daisy continues to be with Giovanelli even while Winterbourne is visiting. Such indulgent things simply were not part of European culture. This shows that European culture discouraged women to speak so freely while American culture encourages such interactions. Winterbourne inquires as to whether or not Daisy is engaged to Giovanelli which she doesn't answer right away, however it is found out later she was never engaged to Giovanelli. When Winterbourne says, "If you eat three lumps of sugar your mother will certainly slap you" (7). Henry James points out the clash between the American and European cultures by showing us the journeys of the independent minded Daisy Miller, who does not adhere to the mainstream rules of social etiquette. This shows that Daisy's attitudes were frowned upon by the European culture and European Americans, such as Winterbourne. Walker snubbing her, but still continues to be with Giovanelli. However, it was Daisy's independent spirit that kept Winterbourne interested and captivated by her. The clash of cultures is pointed out the most by Mrs. He then gets mad at himself for not pursuing Daisy with more vigor and passion. Walker snubs Daisy for being not listening to her advice about how to act as a young lady in European society. Walker then throws a party, Daisy arrives with Giovanelli. Many other customs differences between Americans and Europeans are exemplified throughout the story. Daisy was too independent to take any advice that would refine her in the European sense, and eventually Mrs.
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