Daisy Miller
Throughout life each of us as individuals are brought up to conform to the values, norms, and ethics of the society in which we live. What we often find when analyzing the values of different cultures and societies are different standards with which we live. These standards may be based on religion, different social groups in which people belong, as well as the social environment that surrounds us. Each and every culture is very unique in its own way and expects all individuals to conform to their own systems. When individuals of different cultures are brought together perceptions of one another are based on ones own societal beliefs and the value systems they are brought up with. In the story “Daisy Miller”, Henry James gives his readers the opportunity to look at these differences and see the misperceptions individuals can have of one another. These perceptions are often based solely on ones own value system, which are instilled every individual from birth. Miss Miller’s travel throughout Europe exemplifies the ideals of one country and how they contrast with those of another. Originally from Schenectady, New York Miss Millers value system is quite different from the European value system. She is perceived as be
Every individual has experienced a situation similar to Miss Millers. Within any given society we are constantly judged by our actions, therefore, when our actions do no conform to the rules of the society we are seen differently and often develop a bad reputation much like the reputation that Miss Miller developed. It takes individuals who have experienced many cultures to see through these differences and understand the value systems of other cultures. What individuals need to understand is what is often perceived to be negative in one culture could be the cultural norms and practices of another. While Winterbourne was able to look past the views of many of the citizens of Europe he could not convince his aunt to do the same. Like Mrs. Costello, the Europeans continued to hold their perceptions of Miss Miller and constantly judged her actions. Not realizing her status in Europe she was not invited to many of the events and parties in which the society held. Ultimately creating her own unfavorable perceptions of the countries in Europe. While speaking to Winterbourne she states, “The only thing that I don’t like…is the society. There isn’t any society; or, if there is, I don’t know where it keeps itself… I suppose there is some society somewhere, but I haven’t seen anything of it” (p. 9). The inability to see the larger society within Europe is a direct correlation to her flirtatious behavior. Once in Rome, Winterbourne was disposed to Miss Miller’s new friend Mr.
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Approximate Word count = 1015
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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