So, in class today, there was quite a bit of discussion (and maybe even some disagreement) about Daisy’s character in James’ “Daisy Miller: A Study” character in James’ “Daisy Miller: A Study.” There were some of us who felt that Daisy was simply an innocent, naïve young girl and others who thought she was, well, not so innocent. I was leaning toward her just not understanding the things she was doing, but then—as a group pointed out in class today—she ignored everyone who tried to explain it to her. Then, I honestly came to the conclusion that maybe James was trying to confuse his readers as much as Winterbourne was confused about Daisy’s integrity.
On the handout Dr. Campbell gave us in class, there is a quote from James himself who says “ Poor little Daisy Miller was, as I understand her, above all things innocent. It was not to make or scandal, or because she took pleasure in a scandal, that she went on with Giovanelli. She never took the measure really of the scandal she produced, and had no means of doing so: she was too ignorant, too irreflective, too little versed in the proportions of things. She was a flirt, a perfectly superficial and unmalicious one…I did not mean to suggest that she was playing off Giovanelli against Winterbourne—for she was too innocent for that.”
If James himself intended to write Daisy as an innocent character who is simply “ignorant” of the commotion she causes, then I guess we have to believe him. I just figure that he could have done a little better in helping imply that to his readers. Or maybe Winterbourne’s ideal of Daisy is reflected in him somehow; in the way that he cares about this character and will always see her as innocent. Then again, he said “as I understand her” and he might not even understand her better than any of us do.
My last question about this reading, which I will post for Dr. Campbell’s response is: What is the meaning behind the second part of the story’s title, “A Study”?
1 comment:
Ruchell, I don't think we've seen the last of that discussion about Daisy's innocence. When we pick up with the groups again on Tuesday, I'm sure that it'll be addressed.
The James quotation is interesting. Should we take him seriously, or is he like a person who insults a friend and then says, "you know, I really didn't mean to insult you"?
About your question: the subtitle "A Study" suggests a few things, but what it most resembles is the kind of notation appended to works of art, such as paintings or music. This isn't necessarily "Daisy Miller herself" but a study of her, presumably by someone who believes her a fit subject for art (to go back to "The Art of Fiction").
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