The Character of Daisy in Henry James' Daisy Miller

What is the purpose of Daisy in the novel Daisy Miller by Henry James? Why did James create such a beguiling and bewildering character? Since the publication of James's novel in 1878, Daisy has worn several labels, among them "flirt," "innocent," and "American Girl." Daisy's representation of an American Girl of the late 19th century is evident. Her free-spiritedness and individuality reflect the social movement of the American middle-class. The question of Daisy's innocence, however, remains unanswered. One of the most interesting aspects about Daisy is her distance from the reader. The reader is not given access to Daisy's inner thoughts or emotions. Instead, the reader must observe Daisy through the limited perception of her would-be lover, Frederick Winterbourne. Although Daisy's psyche is a mystery, her relationship with Winterbourne reveals her true purpose in the novel. Daisy is a failed catalyst, or an agent of change. She offers Winterbourne spontaneity, freedom and love. In other words, through daisy, Winterbourne has an opportunity to change. But Winterbourne rejects her and thus Daisy fails as a catalyst. Ironically, by rejecting Daisy, Winterbourne fails himself.

One way in with Daisy fails as an agent of change is that she is a member of the newly rich American middle-class. Winterbourne, however, is a member of the Europeanized American class who are, as Ian F. A. Bell notes, "only slightly less 'nouveau' (newly rich) than the mercantilist Millers" (Reeve 23). These Europeanized Americans, aptly represented by Winterbourne's aunt, reject Daisy and her family because they want to retain their higher position on the social ladder. Ironically, Daisy Miller may have been accepted ...

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