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Travis VandeNoord English 3072O 708176 Assignment 4 Jan 2, 2014 What are the various reasons that Mrs. Costello is critical of Daisy? When Winterbourne approaches his aunt, Mrs. Costello, about presenting Daisy Miller to her, much of the heiress’s mind has already been made up about the young American’s character and value. Mrs. Costello comes from a world that prides itself on tradition and an assumed social hierarchy that predisposes many of the old woman’s criticisms before she has ever met Daisy. Many of the issues that make Miss Miller “unacceptable” revolve around her American brashness and the “common” status that the Miller family comes from. Like many of the European, wealthy families of the early 20th century, Mrs. Costello believes that the those who became rich in America are “common” because they are not of the old world nobility and descendants of the average colonist. The humble beginnings of the Miller family cause ridicule by the established wealthy because they are not just “new money,” but they also lack the social rituals and observances of the European high society. Women like Mrs. Costello have high expectations for those of wealth and high society and for the most part “They are the sort of Americans that one does one’s duty by not--not accepting.” It would easy to conclude that Ms. Costello would accept few of America’s affluent people. Winterbourne’s aunt is also critical of the way in which Daisy carries herself in social situations with men. In fact, Daisy has become the primary focus of gossip in Mrs. Costello’s circle of friends. Miss Miller has become notorious for the way she carries on with men and openly flirts and goes out in public with them unchaperoned. This is breach of ... ... middle of paper ... ...k her to the Castle of Chillon and that Daisy carried herself in a respectable way and her innocence was never in doubt. In fact, after Miss Miller’s death, Winterbourne confided in me that Mr. Giovanelli related the same sentiments to him at the funeral and they both hold her in the highest regard. Dear friend I ask that you take my words seriously and think better of that young woman. Thought she did not follow our rules of etiquette, she was not a girl that lacked innocence or respectability. We may never understand the flirtations of these American women, but it is a world that quickly becoming a part of ours as we intermingle. Perhaps it will do us good to remember her for the kindness she had for people and curiosity she had for our culture rather than her apparent unruliness. I hope to see you in the near future as I travel to Rome. Warmest regards.

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