Daisy Miller Gender Roles

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During the nineteenth century, women were viewed as homemakers, not able to perform in society with men. They were degraded and debased by men to believe that they were worth almost nothing, only worthy of bearing children. This superfluous male domination lead to many women feeling trapped in their own homes, unable to escape from the confinements placed on them by their husbands and society. An illumination of these confines is accounted by Henry James, an American writer of the nineteenth century, in his novella Daisy Miller, which recounts the story of a young American girl Daisy Miller, narrated by Frederick Winterbourne, a young compatriot, who spends most of his life in Geneva, Switzerland. James, along with other supporting characters, …show more content…

The central characters, Mr. Winterbourne and Daisy Miller, are both young Americans living and traveling abroad in Europe, socializing with other Americans living abroad. This microcosm of American society allows the reader to clearly see how Daisy is condemned for what is viewed as less than ladylike behavior, while Winterbourne, free to embrace an independent lifestyle, is not held accountable or snubbed in the least because of his actions. In the beginning of the novella, Henry mentions that Mr. Winterbourne has maintained an intimate relationship with an anonymous lady for some time, which is the reason of his spending so much time at Geneva. The readers find that there is previous forays into less than ideal relationships for him as the author states, “He had known, here in Europe, two or three women – persons older than Miss Daisy Miller, and provided, for respectability’s sake, with husbands – who were great coquettes – dangerous, terrible women, with whom one’s relations were liable to take a serious turn” (James 9). Never once did these insights prevent Mr. Winterbourne from being socially accepted. However, when Daisy Miller develops an intimate friendship with the Italian gentleman, Mr. Giovanelli, she is scorned, talked about, and ridiculed within the social group. As noticed in the novella, women are judged more harshly than men for their behavior, particularly when it comes to sexual impropriety, but women are also the harshest critics. Furthermore, neither Mr. Winterbourne nor Mr. Giovanelli are ever given responsibility for leading Daisy astray; only Daisy is given the full burden for any impropriety. For instance, upon hearing that Daisy planned to visit the castle in Geneva with Mrs. Winterbourne unchaperoned, Mrs. Costello refuses to meet Daisy. However, even though Mr. Winterbourne is just as

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