Stereotypes in Daisy Miller Essay

Stereotyping with Daisy Miller

First impressions can be a determining factor of whether or not a person should associate with another. Although this is not just, it takes place everyday with people. Judging people on only their surface qualities can result in an inadequate assessment of the person. Stereotyping is a thought or image about a person that is based on little evidence. In Henry James novella Daisy Miller, each character plays into the stereotypes of how people should behave. The behaviors of others are judged critically and not always correctly. Stereotyping people leads to potentially incorrect opinions and characterizations of those being judged and does not allow people to get to know others.

In Daisy Miller, James presents conflicting value systems between the characters. The main differences depicted are those between the Americans and the Europeans. The Americans are presented as rude, ill mannered, and narcissistic, while Europeans are considered more refined, better mannered, and classier. Thus the reader falls into the trap of believing the stereotypes due to James laying them out at the beginning of the novella. The American reader is reading the story about an American abroad and James introduces Daisy through her brothers view who thinks anything American is best except his sister (Randall 578). There is also a distinction between those Americans traveling abroad versus those who have relocated and made Europe their permanent residence. The new Europeans have left behind their American ways and have fully embraced the attitude and customs of the Europeans. Just on her hearing about the Millers, Mrs. Costello, does not want to meet Daisy, Oh, yes, I have observed them. Seen them heard them and kept out of their way (James 13). Thus developing an opinion of Daisy based solely on second-hand information.

Because James only allows the character of Daisy to be seen through Winterbournes point of view, the reader must come to his or her own conclusions regarding the type of person she is. John H. Randall proposes four questions for the reader to consider about the novella Daisy Miller: 1) Daisy is so unaware of or defiant toward form that she goes her own way, not caring what Rome thinks of her or what the Americans think of her. The question is, should she care?; 2) She is interested in Winterbourne and can't find any way to reach him: he's too chilly. The question: does she try hard enough?; 3) Much of the story concerns itself with attitudes toward gossip and rumor and the tremendous pressure exerted by a not-too-well-informed public opinion. Should one give it too much weight?; 4) Below all this lies the problem of whether or not we can judge people. Can we even understand them, especially when they come from or interact with people of different cultures; or are they finally inscrutable? (570). Randall states that how the reader answers will depend upon his or her own view of life (570). The critics of the novella viewed Daisy as self-centered, lacking in manners, and behaving badly (569). Readers have the option to determine their own view of Daisy. The reader must decide whether Daisy is truly defiant or just independent in her own way of thinking and not caring what people think of her. The reader can also determine if Daisy works hard enough for Winterbourne or if it would be too forward of her to tell him her feelings. Being open minded allows the readers to absorb the characters and have their own opinion of what she is like as opposed to just judging her for her actions. The gossiping perpetuates the problems with stereotypes as gossip is generally based upon misinformation and inaccurate information is spread through rumors. The final question of judging others is answered easily enough that while people should not judge others, they can come to reasonable conclusions regarding another person based upon facts, personal observations and interactions, and considering the person as a whole.

Using stereotypes to judge people can create blinders for people, resulting in them actually missing out on living life, only viewing life through a guidebook, and not seeing what is actually occurring (Randall 576). This is how Winterbourne views life. While he spends a vast majority of time trying to figure out Daisy, he eventually comes to a stereotypical conclusion, which is negative, She was a young lady whom a gentleman need no longer be at pains to respect, (James 58). Even though Winterbourne does attempt to determine his own opinion of Daisy, those around him constantly influence him. His blinders keep him from coming to an accurate conclusion regarding her and he responds only to the stereotypes. The reality of who Winterbourne is is revealed throughout the novella. He views what others think about Daisy as more important than how he feels or thinks about her. He would rather have a more respectable girl than her. He succumbs to the peer pressure to believe about Daisy what everyone else has been saying throughout the story (Randall 579).

Using stereotypes to judge people leads to inaccurate assessments of people and prohibits the development of relationships. Just as the characters fall into the trap of stereotypes so does the reader. Americans are presented as ill mannered and Europeans are presented as more polished. The characters make irrational judgments based on inaccurate information about the other characters. James provides the opportunity for the reader to develop his or her opinion regarding Daisy, as he does not provide a direct characterization of her. The readers opinion of her will be determined by the readers own life experiences. Reading Daisy Miller with an open mind can allow the reader to determine the true character of Daisy. Dispelling stereotypes removes blinders and allows people to live their lives developing their own opinions.

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Works Cited

James, Henry. Daisy Miller. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1879.

Randall, John. The Genteel Reader and Daisy Miller. American Quarterly 17.3 (Autumn,

1965): 568-581. Web. 12 June 2011.