Preliminary Discussion Questions for Henry James’ Daisy Miller:

1.) Daisy Miller -- her name? her behaviors? her words?

2.) Frederick Winterbourne -- his name? his behavior? his words?

3.) The setting(s) -- the time(s), place(s), customs, attitudes, traditions, etc.

4.) The source(s) of tension/conflict.

Discussion Questions for All of Henry James’ Daisy Miller:

5.) What “parallels” do you see between Part One (chapters I and II) and Part Two (chapters III and IV)? Think people, places, events, etc.

6.) A lot of people seem to be sick or get sick. Who exactly? Do you think this means something?

7.) Why does Daisy react the way she does at the end of Part One, when she learns Winterbourne has to return to Geneva?

8.) Look for the first mention of Mr. Giovanelli. What’s going on here? What’s he up to? What's Daisy up to?

9.) From the beginning of Part Two, what seems to be the status of the relationship between Daisy Miller and Winterbourne?

10.) At the end of her conversation with Mrs. Walker, Daisy says, “I don’t want to do anything improper.” But then she goes out and does what others consider to be improper. What do you make of this?

11.) In Chapter III and elsewhere, Winterbourne is still struggling with what to make of Daisy. What does he “conclude” at this point?

12.) Study the scene where Mrs. Walker wants Daisy to get into the carriage but Daisy refuses. What is telling about Winterbourne’s role in this scene?

13.) Take note of the long paragraph just before chapter IV. This is one of many examples of the “Jamesean style.” How would you describe this style?

14.) During Winterbourne and Daisy’s conversation at Mrs. Walker's party, are we starting to wonder -- or continuing to wonder -- if (1) Daisy just does not understand, or (2) She does understand but does not care?

15.) During this same conversation at Mrs. Walker's party, why does Daisy react so extremely to Winterbourne’s mention of “love”?

16.) Mrs. Walker turns her back on Daisy. Why doesn’t this affect Daisy in the long run?

17.) During the scene at St. Peter's, notice the irony/sarcasm of Mrs. Costello’s “forgetting” Miss Baker’s, Miss Chandler’s, Miss Miller’s name (think of the nursery rhyme: "Butcher, Baker, Candle-stick Maker"). Why does James include this in the nouvelle?

18.) After Winterbourne's conversation with Daisy's mother, he is still struggling to make sense of Daisy. These pages also mention “society’s” thoughts on the matter. Does Daisy not perceive her ostracism? Or, is she willfully defiant?

19.) Daisy’s mother refers to a possible “engagement” between Daisy and Giovanelli. Daisy then talks about it later with Winterbourne. What’s going on here?

20.) Study carefully the important Colosseum scene. What imagery and symbolism is at work here?

21.) Study this passage: “Winterbourne stopped, with a sort of horror; and, it must be added, with a sort of relief. It was as if a sudden illumination had been flashed upon the ambiguity of Daisy’s behavior and the riddle had become easy to read. She was a young lady whom a gentleman need no longer be at pains to respect.” (And the rest of the paragraph.) WHY?

22.) At the end of the Colosseum scene, the paragraph beginning with “Daisy followed with Winterbourne," why doesn’t Daisy care anymore?

23.) What do you make of Daisy’s death-bed messages to Winterbourne?

24.) Study the scene of Daisy’s funeral, and the conversation between Winterbourne and Giovanelli. What understanding, if any, passes between the two men?

25.) Study the very last conversation between Winterbourne and his aunt. What “injustice” has Winterbourne done Daisy? What does he now understand?

Final Discussion Questions:

26.) Who is responsible for Daisy’s death?

27.) Besides the “international theme,” what are some more specific “themes” or “messages” James might be sending to his readers through this novella?

28.) The limited omniscient point-of-view (to Winterbourne) and the other narrator intrusions.

29.) What is your sense of Henry James’ assumptions about his audience?