The Creation of a new type of American masculinity in James' novel 'Daisy Miller' (ePub)

Seminar paper from the year 2001 in the subject American Studies - Literature, grade: 1,0 (A), University of Stuttgart (Institute for American Studies), language: English, abstract: Henry James was 35 years old in 1878 when he wrote "Daisy Miller". He was considered a celebrity in his home country America and also in England, which was later to become his second home. Not only was he successful in writing his novel, he also changed American literature with his masterpiece. Generations of literary critics have been dealing with "Daisy Miller" in terms of the creation of a new type of American female.1

In my paper I want to approach the novel a little differently by taking a closer look at the male protagonist Frederick Winterbourne.

I would also like to take a closer look at the narrative perspective and the way Winterbourne is represented by it. Furthermore I am interested in the gender relationship between Daisy and Winterbourne and their attempts to find a way to get together. The problems arising from this, concerning Winterbourne, will lead me to the last topic, the crisis in American masculinity, the images of masculinity reflected in the novel and a way of creating a new identity of American men. A main problem is procrastination that keeps people from doing the right thing and developing as a person. Another thing I want to take a look at is the mystery Daisy as an American woman is for Winterbourne and how he deals with his insecurity. In fighting it he makes attempts to create his masculinity. James also intended to make his protagonists allegories of certain features in the American mentality and shows problems of American society in the 19th century. James takes an exemplary relationship by which he tries to depict the very tricky situation of America itself and gender-relation in America in those days. The young expatriate Winterbourne and his problems with his countrywoman Daisy Miller mirror the problematic situation of the nation. The way James employs shifts in his narration shows the reader how strange the situation is and somehow also comical. Winterbourne whose main interest is the innocence of Daisy is in bigger terms looking for America's innocence that seemed to be lost after the end of the Civil War.