Daisy Miller - A
rich, pretty, American girl traveling through Europe with her mother
and younger brother. Daisy wants to be exposed to European high
society but refuses to conform to
old-world notions of propriety laid down by the expatriate community
there. In Rome, she becomes involved with an Italian man named Giovanelli,
and she eventually dies from malaria as a result of being outside
with him at night. Along with Winterbourne, Daisy is the novel’s
other possible protagonist.
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in-depth analysis of Daisy Miller.
Winterbourne - A
young American who has lived most of his life in Geneva. Winterbourne
is the novel’s central narrative consciousness and possibly the
protagonist. He is initially intrigued by Daisy because
of her frivolity and independence, but he eventually loses respect
for her. After she dies, however, he regrets his harsh judgment
and wonders if he made a mistake in dismissing her so quickly.
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in-depth analysis of Winterbourne.
Randolph Miller - Daisy’s younger brother. Randolph is a loud, ill-mannered,
ungovernable little boy of about nine or ten.
Mrs. Miller - Daisy
and Randolph’s vague, weak, ineffectual mother. Mrs. Miller seems
obsessed with her health and is utterly incapable of governing the
behavior of her children. She is silly and clueless, but when Daisy
falls ill, she proves “a most judicious and efficient nurse.”
Mrs. Costello - Winterbourne’s
aunt, a shallow, self-important woman who seems genuinely fond of Winterbourne.
Mrs. Costello is the voice of snobbish high society. She also fulfills
the role of “confidante,” a frequent figure in Henry James’s novels.
Eugenio - The
Millers’ supercilious interpreter/guide, often referred to as “the
courier.” Eugenio has better judgment and a greater sense of propriety
than either Daisy or Mrs. Miller and often treats them with thinly
veiled contempt.
Mrs. Walker - A
wealthy, well-connected American widow who lives in Rome, knows
Winterbourne from Geneva, and has befriended Daisy. Mrs. Walker
shares the values of the rest of the American expatriate community,
but she genuinely seems to care what happens to Daisy and tries
to save her.
Mr. Giovanelli - An
Italian of unknown background and origins. Mr. Giovanelli’s indiscreet
friendship with Daisy is misinterpreted by the American expatriate
community and leads, directly or indirectly, to Daisy’s ostracism
and death.
