This comment made by Daisy's lover Giovanelli- sums up what is thought of Daisy in a hauntingly simple way. It ties the story together- and we realize that Daisy was perhaps the innocent child that she sometimes appeared to be- and not the seductress that was often thought of her. James' ability to paint the character of Daisy with so many shades lends a powerful tone to the story- we realize that what you see may not be what you get...and Daisy is no exception.
Wikipedia talks about a theme in "Daisy Miller," saying: "The names of the characters are also symbolic. Daisy is a flower in full bloom, without inhibitions and in the springtime of her life. Daisy contrasts sharply with Winterbourne, who is more ambivalent and unwilling to commit to any relationship. Flowers die in winter and this is precisely what happens to Daisy, after catching the Roman Fever or, to put it more bluntly, the attention of foreign men." It seems to prove that perhaps Daisy did indeed love Winterbourne- but his quiet reluctance to commit or see her beyond her exterior "chilled" the passion she felt for him. I never thought of the symbolism of the names before I read the wikipedia entry- but now it seems to make perfect sense- even in the description of the characters. Daisy is bright, youthful, beautiful and fragile. Winterbourne is calculated, sometimes cold, and brisk. I tended to side with Daisy throughout the story- never really seeing her as the "young American flirt" that Winterbourne would constantly label her as. She did seem very young, to be sure, but her flirtations seemed that of someone who desperately needed attention and discovered that her youth and vitality were the key ingredients needed to gather that. I felt as though Winterbourne was the "bad guy," the gardener wanting to clip the fair daisy much to early.
James' subtle themes and dialogue's don't take away from the story in the least. Instead, the reader is left searching and feeling all of the raw emotion that lays hidden under the surface. His ability to stay true to his characters, and leave you wondering with whom you should side is a remarkable talent. James reels you in, gives you Daisy, and then swiftly takes her away.
20 points. So well-observed! "James' ability to paint the character of Daisy with so many shades lends a powerful tone to the story- we realize that what you see may not be what you get...and Daisy is no exception."
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