The practice of oppositional reading is set into action when the need to challenge degrading and stereotypical presentations of a character’s identity is made evident. These depictions are exhibited throughout the entirety of Henry James’ Daisy Miller as a result of the social context of the novella and the third person narrator’s access to the central consciousness of Winterbourne, a man of upper class. Thus, it is important to execute this method of looking ‘against the grain’ in order to deconstruct the demeaning and limited illustrations of Daisy, the work’s supposed source of “study.” Throughout the entirety of the novella, Winterbourne’s apparent “respect” for Daisy is driven largely by superficial forces. From the moment he first perceives her existence, the narration of his inner monologue makes evident to the reader that he …show more content…
In this way, there exists a source of aesthetic domination that defies the requirements of the social form which is adhered to by other members of high society (45). Despite Daisy’s demonstrated lack of social graces and evident tendency towards manipulation, Winterbourne consistently attempts to assure both himself and others that she is “du meilleur monde,” a young lady of the best society (55). For those of high class, Daisy’s good looks are not enough; instead, she is ultimately rejected based on her “common” behavior, “natural indelicacy,” and “scandalous” defiance of socially normative customs (15, 45). Yet, even in acknowledging that she is “completely uncultivated,” Winterbourne defends her character through the reasoning that she is “wonderfully pretty” and demonstrates “radiant loveliness” (18, 48). Through his gaze, Daisy is seen as a piece of artwork, and valued simply for that. This therefore proves the