The New Money Regime There were several instances during the post Civil-war era were many people had grown to wealth, but even with vast amounts of money they lacked the class to really make them of high society. Henry James’s novel, Daisy Miller, Daisy Miller is a vibrant girl of new money traveling abroad in Europe. Throughout the novel she does not abide to the social standards set forth in the European culture of money or the old money Americans also traveling abroad. The novel indulges in what social expectations are to be practiced when you have vast amounts of money and the consequences that follow if those rules are not observed. The characters in James’s novel stay stagnant throughout the novel suggesting that neither Winterbourne nor Daisy could escape their social destiny, Daisy’s …show more content…
The novel’s main focus is on Americans traveling in Europe, yet the Americans of new money seem to act even more pompous than that of the European culture. Socially it mattered little who actually had more money, the only things were how long you’ve had the money and how well you presented yourself with it. The flashy new money was seen as gaudy and tacky with no manners, whereas the old money did not have to “try so hard” to show their wealth. Daisy Miller is often seen acting extravagant and running amuck with gentlemen alone, a practice that was highly looked down upon. Everything about her draws attention from this upper wealthy crowd of which is surrounded. She makes no effort to change, even with several characters hinting at her that this in the proper way to act. Although she does not change, Daisy is able to have a mind of her own rather than letting everyone control her thoughts. This is the case with all the other bland characters of the novel. While Winterbourne makes an effort to understand Daisy, in the end he fails completely and just continues on in his conforming