Daisy Miller, which was first published in England's Cornhill Magazine in 1878, remains one of Henry James's most cherished works. It incorporates elements of the novel of manners, a genre that often, but not always, uses satire to portray the behaviors, traditions, and values typical of a specific social class in a certain time and place. In this narrative, James begins his early exploration of the "international theme," highlighting the contrast between the manners and cultures of American tourists in Europe and those of Americans who have lived abroad long enough to adopt European customs. This America-Europe contrast is represented through themes such as innocence versus experience, spontaneity versus ritual, naturalness versus artificiality, and frankness versus duplicity. By examining these contrasts, James infuses his story with significant social, psychological, and moral implications.

The social aspect is emphasized through the contrast between Daisy Miller, a young woman from Schenectady, New York, touring Europe with her mother and younger brother Randolph, and Frederick Winterbourne, a twenty-seven-year-old American who has spent most of his life in Geneva, Switzerland. Daisy and Winterbourne encounter each other one morning in June in the garden of a hotel in Vevey, a charming resort town on Lake Geneva. Winterbourne is immediately captivated by Daisy's beauty and her air of directness and independence, which sharply contrasts with the reserved nature of European girls. Courageously, he tries to start a conversation with her despite not having a formal introduction and is pleasantly surprised when she eventually responds. They go on a trip to the Castle of Chillon, suggesting a shared romantic interest. Months later, Winterbourne attempts to reconnect with Daisy in Rome, only to discover that her unconventional behavior has made her a subject of gossip.

From the outset, Daisy is set apart from her European counterparts. She has been materially indulged and encouraged to nurture an independent spirit, yet she lacks proper parental supervision. Her father stays in Schenectady to oversee the family business, while her overly permissive mother does not provide adequate protection. In contrast, girls in Geneva and Rome are constantly watched over by vigilant parents. The issue of chaperoning ties into the topic of flirting, which Europeans considered inappropriate for young women, whereas in America, it was regarded as a natural part of healthy courtship. Daisy herself underscores this cultural difference, stating that she believes it is more fitting for young unmarried girls to flirt than for older married women.

Through Daisy, the narrative highlights the ways in which Victorian society restricted women's intellectual development and personal autonomy. Without adequate education, Daisy is unfamiliar with the destinations she explores and acknowledges that she couldn't tutor her brother, who is preparing for college, unlike her. While Winterbourne can engage with strangers, go wherever he wants, and express his opinions openly, Daisy's comparable behavior is considered scandalous, leading others to scrutinize her character.

While Daisy is exceedingly spontaneous, the American expatriates she attempts to associate with are so inflexible in their social conduct that they appear disconnected from genuine human emotions. To these expatriates, the Millers breach critical social norms through their overly casual interactions with servants, their lack of discipline towards young Randolph, and the freedom they allow Daisy. Their main concern, however, centers on Daisy's "innocence." They use this term in several ways: to suggest a lack of sophistication in social conventions, to distinguish authentic behavior from pretense, and to imply a young woman's sexual purity. Daisy never fully understands why these individuals respond so intensely to her actions or why behavior that is acceptable at home is disapproved of in Europe. Specifically, she perceives nothing inappropriate...