Reflection on Daisy Miller

Beatriz Cruz Daisy Miller is a young American girl that is traveling through Europe with her mother and her little brother. She meets Winterbourne, an American man that has lived in Europe for a long time. At first, Winterbourne is confused by Daisy's actions, but discovers that she is just a pretty American flirt. She is being criticized by Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Costello, two women that live in Europe. They criticize Daisy because she is too affectionate with men, and the European society does not approve of her behavior. The novella presents a contrast between the two cultures, the American and the European. Since Daisy is American, she considers her behavior as normal and believes that there is nothing wrong with it. She gets ill for being out late with a man, Giovanelli, and dies some days later. Winterbourne realizes his feelings for Daisy at the end, when she is already dead. In my opinion, Daisy did nothing wrong. She believed her actions were the right ones, that there was nothing wrong about being alone with men, and talking with them. Daisy was not controlled by what people said about her. She was herself no matter what, and I liked that about her. She stood up for what she believed in, she did not go with the flow. Her actions had some bad consequences. She was left out in the European society, and died at the end as a consequence for one of her actions. I admire her courage and sincerity, she was herself no matter what people said about her.

Reflection on Daisy Miller

Liane Cartagena Daisy Miller and Winterbourne first meet in Vevey, Switzerland, where he is vacationing from his studies. They are introduced by young Randolph Miller, Daisy's brother. Randolph considers his hometown of Schenectady, New York to be superior to all of Europe, especially for the quality of candies. Daisy, however, is absolutely delighted with the continent, especially the high society which she wishes to enter. Winterbourne is at first confused by her attitude, but soon determines that she is nothing more than a young American flirt. He continues his pursuit of Daisy in spite of the disapproval of his authoritarian and snobbish aunt Mrs. Costello, who rejects any family with such a close a relationship to their courier as the Millers have with their Eugenio. She also thinks Daisy is a shameless girl for agreeing to visit the town with Winterbourne after a mere half hour together. Winterbourne informs Daisy that he must go to Geneva the next day. Daisy extracts a promise from him to meet her in Rome and they part. In Rome, Winterbourne and Daisy meet unexpectedly in the parlor of Mrs. Walker, a fellow American. Daisy is undeterred by the open disapprobation of the other Americans in Rome, and her ineffectual mother seems quite unaware of the underlying tensions. Winterbourne attempts to release Daisy from her situation, but she refuses to take any of it seriously. One night, Winterbourne takes a walk through the Coliseum and, at its center, sees Giovanelli standing in front of Daisy. Winterbourne tells himself that Daisy is too common for him to love. He warns her about the danger of “Roman Fever” her health, and she rushes home, although protesting that she doesn't care. Daisy falls ill, and dies a few days later. The feelings Winterbourne and his aunt have for Daisy is very superficial. Instead of being a little open minded and welcoming to Americans they were fast to judge her and undermine her. I feel that you should always welcome people no matter how different they might abide by ones rules. Mrs. Costello and Mrs. Walker were quick on judging Daisy for her actions but never once went and gave her a chance to engage in conversation with her. On top of this they were so closed minded that they never thought culture in the United States is different and might be the reason she acts the way she does. Daisy on the other hand is careless to judge and is just a nice young lady on vacation trying to get the best out of the European life enjoying every person who stands in her way. One thing that made her a little closed minded was the fact that she chose not to change her ways thinking that it was okay to to act the way she did with men. If she would have listened to Winterbourne maybe a little she could have mildly corrected her actions still keeping true to herself. Even though I do not find much harm in Daisy’s actions I am open minded enough to see that not everyone can be as engaging as Daisy was because people get the wrong message and are quick to judge upon ones character. I feel that because of miscommunication and both internal and external conflicts not being communicated within the characters ( Daisy and Winterbourne) led to Daisy’s death and Winterbourne’s doubt on placing judgement over Daisy and eventually placed a halt toward the development of their relationship.