The Issue of Class in “Daisy Miller”

Mrs. Costello and Winterbourne

In James’s “Daisy Miller” class and its relation to travel is a prominent theme. In the late Victorian era in which “Daisy Miller” is set, a more affluent middle class had begun to form. And thanks to the Industrial Revolution workdays were shortened from twelve to ten hours. This new class now had time and money for vacations whereas before travel had been a solely aristocratic practice.

The issue of Daisy Miller’s social status is first addressed when Winterbourne attempts to have his aunt, Mrs. Costello, who is “a widow with a fortune; a person of much distinction” (18) meet Daisy. When Winterbourne asks his aunt if she knows of the Millers, she responds “I have observed them. Seen them – heard them – and kept out of their way,” (18). Winterbourne decides from his aunt’s tone that “Daisy Miller’s place in the social scale was low,” (19) and his aunt affirms this belief stating that “They (the Millers) are very common,” (19).

Class and social status becomes more prevalent when Winterbourne goes to Rome. The Millers are looked down upon by the elite class of Americans living there. Winterbourne’s friend Mrs. Walker, who also had lived in Geneva, is appalled by Daisy’s behavior, saying Daisy has been doing “Everything that is not done here. Flirting with any man she could pick up; sitting in corners with mysterious Italians; dancing all evening with the same partners…” (54). Winterbourne defends her by stating that she is just “very uncultivated,” (54). Mrs. Miller further displays their lower class by being “humbly unconscious of any violation of the usual social forms,” (61). And Winterbourne notices that “Daisy and her mama have not yet risen to that stage of… culture at which the idea of catching a count or a marcheses begins,” (65) and instead think of Mr. Giovanelli as a perfectly acceptable gentleman.

In “Daisy Miller” the Millers seem like tourists, as opposed to Winterbourne, Mrs. Costello, and Mrs. Walker who are seen more as travelers, because of their class. The travelers in “Daisy Miller” are more aware of the European culture and try to conform to it. This can be seen when Winterbourne tells Daisy that “when you deal with natives you must go by the custom of the place,” (60). Daisy Miller and her family, however, appear blind (whether willfully blind or not is another question) to European social distinctions and customs. James seems to be making a point about ignorant American travelers of the lesser class.