Daisy Miller: A Study

by Henry James

"Daisy Miller: A Study" by Henry James is a novella published in 1878. It follows the beautiful American Daisy Miller as she captivates Frederick Winterbourne, a sophisticated expatriate, during their encounters in Switzerland and Italy. Her free-spirited flirtatiousness clashes with rigid European social conventions, scandalizing the American expatriate community. As Daisy grows closer to a questionable Italian suitor, Winterbourne struggles between his attraction to her and society's disapproval. The story explores cultural prejudices and asks whether Daisy's unconventional behavior reflects innocent American spontaneity or something more troubling.