Daisy Miller

A major theme in Henry James’s overall body of work is the conflict and misunderstanding that can arise for Americans while traveling abroad to Europe. However, in Daisy Miller, this class and behavior conflict is really more between the two classes of Americans than between Americans and Europeans. Mrs. Costello and Mrs. Walker spearhead their campaign against Daisy, and they often say that others are talking about her, but it appears to be other Americans staying at the hotel, not local Romans. Indeed, Mr. Giovanelli is very well-mannered and does not appear to be taking advantage of Daisy’s innocence. Daisy Miller thus exposes the role that ideas about class and social standing play within the norms of this upper-class American social set, and how they shape their dealings with one another.

The Millers and people like Mrs. Costello and Mrs. Watson represent two distinct classes in American society. When they are all traveling and staying in the same place, the prominent families who have enjoyed the privilege of generational wealth for decades do not want to be confused with families like the Millers, who have only recently made a fortune and do not know how to behave in various contexts. Winterbourne, being young, like Daisy, but from an “old money” family, is a mediator between these two American castes. The more traditional group believes it improper for Daisy to spend so much time with local men—especially when unaccompanied by her mother—while on the other hand, Daisy and Mrs. Miller think she can behave exactly the same way as she did in Schenectady. When Mr. Winterbourne tries to explain that there is no such thing as “flirting” to Italian men and that they are misinterpreting her intentions, Daisy laughs at him, calling him “stiff,” like his rigid aunt and Mrs. Walker.

James further illustrates this theme of class and social norms through the character of Randolph, Daisy’s younger brother. He is a young boy, and though his role in the story is small, he embodies the concept of American exceptionalism more than any other character. No matter where the Millers go and what historical monuments they visit, Randolph is not impressed and does not believe anything is better than Schenectady, New York, reflecting the family’s lack of upper-class refinement and culture. He blames his teeth falling out on the hotels and says the only good part about their trip was the boat ride, except that it was facing the wrong direction. Daisy and Mrs. Miller voice their disappointment in European society as well, but Randolph is certainly the loudest voice proclaiming American superiority, which comes across as rude and ignorant to his audience of “old money” Americans, who seem to prefer the understated elegance of European cities.

Overall, Daisy is judged most harshly by her fellow Americans, but their convergence in Rome intensifies their disdain for her because they want to be clear that Daisy and the Millers are not on the same social level as people such as Mrs. Costello and Mrs. Watson. In failing to understand and adapt to the social cues of this upper-class milieu, the Millers betray their nouveau riche origins and become the outcasts of their social set.