36 pages • 1 hour read
Henry JamesDaisy Miller
Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1878A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Daisy Miller, Henry James portrays the cultural clash between Americans abroad and European societal norms through the experiences of Daisy, a young American woman whose unconventional behavior causes friction with judgmental compatriots. Daisy forms a bond with Frederick Winterbourne, who is both intrigued and puzzled by her actions, as he struggles to understand whether she is deliberately defying social conventions or is simply unaware of them.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Henry James’s Daisy Miller elicits diverse reactions. Critics praise its nuanced exploration of social norms and character depth, highlighting James's masterful prose. However, some find the pacing slow and the protagonist's naiveté frustrating. Nevertheless, the novella's incisive cultural commentary makes it a compelling read.
Who Should Read Daisy Miller?
A reader who appreciates Daisy Miller by Henry James is likely to enjoy nuanced character studies and themes of cultural clash and societal expectations. Similar to those who favor works like Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence or Jane Austen's Emma, they would relish this novella's exploration of 19th-century social mores and individualism.
RecommendedReading Age
14-18yearsLexile Level
850