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al13ex's review
4.0
Out of the two stories, I have to say that I liked Washington Square better. It was very much engaging and I was extremely curious to see where it all ends. Catherine was not a regular type of heroine, but the depiction of a real person with no high points in her personality or looks. She found herself in a very difficult position where she had to choose . Nobody made her decision easier and everyone seemed to want to control her fate. I thought it was admirable how she stood by her convictions, whatever they were. I enjoyed seeing her evolution and the way she developed. I'm not sure I liked her very much as a character, but I did come to appreciate her deeply!
On the other hand, Daisy Miller seemed to be the kind of girl who can be liked very easily, but she was still described as "common". I can't say that I liked her either, but that was mostly because she talked a lot without thinking about anything. She was a talkative person, but the worst thing is that she had no regards towards other people's feelings or privacy and she gave up secrets which were not hers to give. She also had a very high esteem for herself and for her family which were not necessarily grounded.
The thing that I did like very much about Daisy was how straightforward she was. She was not afraid to speak her mind, despite society's rules. Because she did what she felt like doing, she was ignorant of the effect her actions might have on her relationships. By being truthful to herself she compromised her position. At the same time, this situation made me become aware of how older women perpetuated the patriarchy and they offered the same advice to the young ladies over and over again (about how to be a respectable lady in the society). Women didn't stand a chance when women started fighting against each other. There was a part of the story when men's privilege was acknowledged through the words of an older woman, but knowing the author's a man, it makes me curious about how privilege was really seen as a concept in the 19th century. Another theme that I found to be very important here was respect -- that is, women's self-respect, the respect women had for other women and how this affected men's respect for them.
Nonetheless, the thing that strikes me about both of these stories is that, even after reaching the end, I'm still not completely sure of what to think about the characters. It's not all that black and white and the author rarely says anything decisive. You know some of their thoughts, you get to understand how other people see them, you watch the way they behave, yet you still lack some significant information as to who they really are and how they are like deep inside. I find it confusing in a way because I can form opinions based on some information, but other pieces of evidence show that I might be forming the wrong opinion. After all, it's not just me -- the other characters seem to think the same, because nobody actually knows Daisy, nor Catherine.
I want to end this with a quote from Washington Square, one which I really liked and I want to keep:
Spoiler
between her parent and her loverOn the other hand, Daisy Miller seemed to be the kind of girl who can be liked very easily, but she was still described as "common". I can't say that I liked her either, but that was mostly because she talked a lot without thinking about anything. She was a talkative person, but the worst thing is that she had no regards towards other people's feelings or privacy and she gave up secrets which were not hers to give. She also had a very high esteem for herself and for her family which were not necessarily grounded.
The thing that I did like very much about Daisy was how straightforward she was. She was not afraid to speak her mind, despite society's rules. Because she did what she felt like doing, she was ignorant of the effect her actions might have on her relationships. By being truthful to herself she compromised her position. At the same time, this situation made me become aware of how older women perpetuated the patriarchy and they offered the same advice to the young ladies over and over again (about how to be a respectable lady in the society). Women didn't stand a chance when women started fighting against each other. There was a part of the story when men's privilege was acknowledged through the words of an older woman, but knowing the author's a man, it makes me curious about how privilege was really seen as a concept in the 19th century. Another theme that I found to be very important here was respect -- that is, women's self-respect, the respect women had for other women and how this affected men's respect for them.
Nonetheless, the thing that strikes me about both of these stories is that, even after reaching the end, I'm still not completely sure of what to think about the characters. It's not all that black and white and the author rarely says anything decisive. You know some of their thoughts, you get to understand how other people see them, you watch the way they behave, yet you still lack some significant information as to who they really are and how they are like deep inside. I find it confusing in a way because I can form opinions based on some information, but other pieces of evidence show that I might be forming the wrong opinion. After all, it's not just me -- the other characters seem to think the same, because nobody actually knows Daisy, nor Catherine.
I want to end this with a quote from Washington Square, one which I really liked and I want to keep:
"Try and make a clever woman of her, Lavinia; I should like her to be a clever woman."
Mrs. Penniman, at this, looked thoughtful a moment. "My dear Austin," she then inquired, "do you think it is better to be clever than to be good?"
"Good for what?" asked the Doctor. "You are good for nothing unless you are clever."
ashtronomic's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Daisy Miller and Washington Square are two delightfully complimentary and contrasting novels. Both tales combine to clearly display Henry James dynamic writing; featuring tales of two women who are opposites yet both incredibly well written and characterised.
The book has aged well, it only takes a moment to adjust to the old fashioned language and from that point the book is an absolute page turner. As someone who has read a lot of classic novels, it is delightful to find a male author from the 1800’s who was good at writing women.
radioisasoundsalvation's review
5.0
I adore Henry James, so it's sad that this is my first time reading these two fantastic novellas; and such depth in characterizations both are!
Daisy Miller is a haunting sketch of a girl's downfall from society, and how effortless it is all painted up by James! The narrator's perspective of a naive European-born American struck by the nuances of society offers such a hopeful view of Miss Miller; he instructs us as readers to give her the benefit of the doubt and sympathy he would give.
Washington Square however, is a much darker war of minds between a father and daughter. It's pure psychological warfare between the two about whether or not her suitor truly loves her or seeks her fortune. The father's stubbornness slowly cuts down at Catherine, until she becomes cruel and bitter. James writes the best sentences in all of literature in my opinion, and this novella is a masterpiece. Certainly my favorite out of the two!
Daisy Miller is a haunting sketch of a girl's downfall from society, and how effortless it is all painted up by James! The narrator's perspective of a naive European-born American struck by the nuances of society offers such a hopeful view of Miss Miller; he instructs us as readers to give her the benefit of the doubt and sympathy he would give.
Washington Square however, is a much darker war of minds between a father and daughter. It's pure psychological warfare between the two about whether or not her suitor truly loves her or seeks her fortune. The father's stubbornness slowly cuts down at Catherine, until she becomes cruel and bitter. James writes the best sentences in all of literature in my opinion, and this novella is a masterpiece. Certainly my favorite out of the two!
the_lil_reader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I very much enjoyed this authors style of narration. He’s creates his characters in such an in depth way.
kobowden's review
5.0
"She had been so humble in her youth that she could now afford to have a little pride ... Poor Catherine's dignity was not aggressive; it never sat in state; but if you pushed far enough you could find it." (227)
itsmandaaa's review
4.0
Daisy Miller: 2.5 stars
Washington Square: 5 stars
Morris was more ambiguous in the film. Definitely the villain of the story here.
Washington Square: 5 stars
Morris was more ambiguous in the film. Definitely the villain of the story here.