Albert Ellis once said, “The art of love is largely the art of persistence.” Love is an imperishable feeling that never fades, or dares to descend. However, when love is infused with innocence, one starts question what love really is. In Henry James’s novella Daisy Miller: A Study the main character Winterbourne, meets an American flirt by the name of Daisy Miller, who appears to be an innocent girl. There relationship escalates quickly as this perceived “typical American flirt” catches Winterbournes eye, and they began to have vast dialogue. There conversations make the reader question who is innocent, and who isn’t. There relationship is persistent, and both Winterbourne, and Daisy seem to love each other. One is left to judge if Daisy Miller or Winterbourne is really “innocent”. By probing through their dialogue, and Daisy’s hinted flirtatious gestures it is palpable that she is not. The ambiguity in the relationship between Daisy Miller, and Winterbourne is powered by innocence, such that it relates to the novella as a whole, inevitably questioning who is really "innocent.”
From the beginning of the novella the question on the innocence of Daisy Miller is raised. After Daisy and Winterbourne begin to have a conversation it is evident that Winterbourne is in a trance. The narrator says inquisitively, “ Was she simply a pretty girl from New York State- were they all like that, the pretty girls who had a good deal of gentleman’s society? Or was she also a designing, an audacious, an unscrupulous young person? … Miss Daisy Miller looked extremely innocent.” (334). Winterbourne seems puzzled as he wonders if this flirtatiousness is purely a trait of her innocence, or if she is a stereotypical young flirt, who he’s just not famili...
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.... In this case, it is Daisy Miller, and her lack of innocence. One can infer easily that Daisy loved Winterbourne, but because of her lack of purity, she tried playing games with him. Like Albert Ellis said about love, she persistently plays games with Winterbourne, and it ultimately leads to her death. This poses a lot of ideas for the readers. What is love than really? If someone spends so much time trying please someone, for there own satisfaction, is it worth it? Being innocent is something we all value as human beings. It can be compromised simply if we lack this trait. Love is a part of life, and one needs to appreciate the powerful feeling. But do not ever sacrifice yourself for someone who doesn’t appreciate it.
Works Cited
James, Henry. “Daisy Miller: A Study.”
Norton Anthology American Literature. Shorter 8th edition. New York: W.W
Norton & Co. Print.
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...k her to the Castle of Chillon and that Daisy carried herself in a respectable way and her innocence was never in doubt. In fact, after Miss Miller’s death, Winterbourne confided in me that Mr. Giovanelli related the same sentiments to him at the funeral and they both hold her in the highest regard.
James, Henry. "The Beast in the Jungle." The Story and Its Writer: An Introduction to Short Fiction. Ed. Ann Charters. Boston: Bedford Books, 1995.
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