Henry James seems focused on traditional gender roles, socially acceptable behavior, and the characters who challenge them. Did he want Daisy Miller to be a sympathetic victim of oppressive social norms, or a woman whose ignorance is ultimately to blame? How sympathetic do you find her?
Do you think Daisy’s rebellion against proper behavior is intentional and premeditated?
Winterbourne and Daisy MIller are both Americans living abroad in Europe. Winterbourne complies to the "standards" set for him, while Daisy defies them. The term "American" is used throughout the story to describe them and their behaviors.
How does Daisy's behavior differ from what the "acceptable" behavior for an American girl in Europe is?
The Millers are Americans abroad and the novella primarily takes place in Europe. What contrasts does Henry James establish between these two settings? What are the rules that go along with each society? Which characters rigidly adhere to their respective societies? How do the characters live within society's constraints? In what ways can it be said that Daisy's fate has been determined?
More importantly, what does it mean to be labelled an "American" in this story?
In a society which seems to place importance on strict social codes and a sense of hierarchy, how important is it that the Millers' seem to have a breakdown in familial structure? -- Mrs. Miller seems resigned to her role as "matron," Randolph cannot be reasoned with, Daisy is a determined flirt, and Mr. Miller is physically absent from the story. Are the Millers a manifestation of the lack of structure and control in an American lifestyle? Are they simply used as a foil for European society? If you don't agree with any of this, do you think their lack of structure means anything to the novella?
Consider also: Mrs. Costello and Mrs. Walker not only criticize Daisy, but her family as well. Is it important that the family as a whole becomes the focus of scrutiny rather than just Daisy?
Th Jan. 15 Washington Irving, “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” (Norton)
Tu Jan. 20 Abraham Lincoln, “A House Divided” and “Second Inaugural Address” (Norton) Assignment: watch Obama’s inaugural address (today at noon, or watch it online later) and compare to Lincoln’s inaugural addresses
Th Jan. 22 William Apess, An Indian’s Looking-Glass for the White Man (Norton) Catharine Maria Sedgwick, Hope Leslie, Vol. I, Chapter 4 (Norton)
Tu Jan. 27 Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Nature” (Norton)
Th Jan. 29 Hawthorne, “Young Goodman Brown,” “The Birth-Mark” (Norton)
Tu Feb. 3 Hawthorne, “Rappaccini’s Daughter” Edgar Allan Poe, “Ligeia” (Norton)
Th Feb. 5 Poe, “The Raven,” “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “William Wilson” (Norton)
Tu Feb. 10 Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (Norton)
Th Feb 12 Douglass, Narrative First paper due Friday, Feb. 13, 4 p.m.
Tu Feb 17 Herman Melville, “Bartleby the Scrivener” and “The Paradise of Bachelors and the Tartarus of Maids” (Norton)
Th Feb 19 Rebecca Harding Davis, “Life in the Iron-Mills” (Norton)
Tu Feb 24 Walt Whitman, “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry,” “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d,” and “Song of Myself” parts 1-7 (Norton)
great week
ReplyDeleteTom asks...
ReplyDeleteHenry James seems focused on traditional gender roles, socially acceptable behavior, and the characters who challenge them. Did he want Daisy Miller to be a sympathetic victim of oppressive social norms, or a woman whose ignorance is ultimately to blame? How sympathetic do you find her?
Do you think Daisy’s rebellion against proper behavior is intentional and premeditated?
Lauren asks:
ReplyDeleteWinterbourne and Daisy MIller are both Americans living abroad in Europe. Winterbourne complies to the "standards" set for him, while Daisy defies them. The term "American" is used throughout the story to describe them and their behaviors.
How does Daisy's behavior differ from what the "acceptable" behavior for an American girl in Europe is?
How does Winterbourne respond to her behavior?
Kristen Charlesworth
ReplyDeleteThe Millers are Americans abroad and the novella primarily takes place in Europe. What contrasts does Henry James establish between these two settings? What are the rules that go along with each society? Which characters rigidly adhere to their respective societies? How do the characters live within society's constraints? In what ways can it be said that Daisy's fate has been determined?
More importantly, what does it mean to be labelled an "American" in this story?
Sarah B
ReplyDeleteIn a society which seems to place importance on strict social codes and a sense of hierarchy, how important is it that the Millers' seem to have a breakdown in familial structure? -- Mrs. Miller seems resigned to her role as "matron," Randolph cannot be reasoned with, Daisy is a determined flirt, and Mr. Miller is physically absent from the story. Are the Millers a manifestation of the lack of structure and control in an American lifestyle? Are they simply used as a foil for European society? If you don't agree with any of this, do you think their lack of structure means anything to the novella?
Consider also:
Mrs. Costello and Mrs. Walker not only criticize Daisy, but her family as well. Is it important that the family as a whole becomes the focus of scrutiny rather than just Daisy?