"Daisy Miller" -Jade

If you were to pick up a work of fiction from the American Realism Movement, you would find inside a composition of what the author see taking place in the world around them, at that moment, without thinking of the past or the future. Such were the characteristics of many Realist novels; they told stories that could happen in ‘real life’, which is why they varied so greatly from Romantic novels. Realist novels focused on the realm of possibility, seeking to portray a faithful representation of everyday life. And it is upon the premise of Realism than the dear novella “Daisy Miller: A Study” by Henry James, stands.
James’ realism is slightly different than others of his time, as he preferred to write about people of the upper and wealthier classes, instead of focusing on the realities of the lower class. His idea of realism is maintaining true to his characters, ensuring that they do not react to any event in such a way that would be incredibly out of character for them. 

When the reader knows how one of James’ characters will react in a terrifying situation, the reader can make a very educated guess as to how that character will react in another terrifying situation, and probably be dead on. This ‘Jamesian Realism’ is prevalent through ‘Daisy Miller’. Many times the reader hopes that this is the time Daisy will wise up and stop acting so flirtatiously, or that that was the last time Winterbourne would be sucked in by Daisy’s wiles. However, it is not to be, and in these (disappointing) flaws of the characters can we see James expressing his idea of Realism. Essentially, in the real world, people don’t change, no matter how hard you hope and pray they will, wishing that this is the last time they lie about their drinking or staying out late. It is such a truth that such unchangeable aspects about people can sometimes be the cause of their downfall, as was the case for Daisy. Daisy was warned repeatedly by family, friends, and acquaintances to stop carrying on so with older men (and with no chaperone!) but Daisy paid them no heed, including the night when she was loitering at the Coliseum alone with Mr. Giovanelli. However, because Daisy did not heed society’s warnings, she catches the ‘Roman Illness’ (malaria), and eventually dies. James’ final twist on the real world is apparent here too: men and women are to each their own worst enemy.

Yet, while there are many realistic elements and lavish details in "Daisy Miller," in the end it is not a perfect reflection of real life. The narration is so intertwined through the unnamed narrator, Winterborne, and various other characters, we have no true idea of who these people are. We cannot look inside their mind and see their motivations, which is the intentions of the author. We must fill in the gaps with our own ideas and own prejudices, which can result in some people empathizing more with Daisy, and others siding with Winterborne. In the end, we do not know their motivations and who they are, which is realistic, but so much is left from the reader that in the end it is not realistic, though it does hold to the tenants of Realist literature.

(Last paragraph contributed by Laura)