Florian Uffer
Dr. Van Ness
ENGL 203-05
11/25/2014

Randolph: Small in Age, but Great in Meaning Throughout James' “Daisy Miller: A Study”

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Critics of Henry James' “Daisy Miller: A Study” largely focus on main characters, such as Daisy, Winterbourne, or Mrs. Walker. In his preface to the novel, James exemplifies how Daisy defies society's objective to confine women in a rigid sphere, describing her as “... a child of nature and of freedom...” (James 267). In her critic, Dunbar demonstrates how James' international theme comes in effect as Mrs. Walker turns her back to Daisy, declaring, “Mrs. Walker, whose cutting of Daisy seals the young girl's social doom, is in the revision given symbolic value by references to her as ʻthe voice of civilized societyʼ...” (Dunbar, 314). In another critic, Kennedy elucidates Winterbourne's willingness to classify Daisy, stating, “But why is Winterbourne so obsessively determined to categorize Daisy in the first place when his interest clearly extends beyond what would be aroused by an anomaly in his mental filing cabinet?” (Kennedy). Those critics however, omit Randolph Miller, whose meaning in the novel cannot be overlooked.
Introduced early in the novel, Randolph Miller's meaning for the whole plot seems limited. However, him requesting lumps of sugar enables Winterbourne to introduce himself to Daisy Miller. Furthermore, Winterbourne uses Randolph as an object in his passive conversation between himself and Daisy. James exemplifies this, stating, “ ʻI should like very much to know your name,ʼ said Winterbourne. ʻHer name is Daisy Miller!ʼ cried the child” (James 1516). This deed made by Randolph, even though Daisy forbad it, triggers Winterbourne's interest for Daisy Miller and his consequent desire to classify her as a certain type of woman. This example elucidates how Randolph partly introduces the upcoming plot.
As the reader is introduced to Randolph in the novel's first part, the boy's American behavior and patriotism become obvious. His approach of Winterbourne is completed without hesitation, symbolizing the American custom. James demonstrates this as Randolph addresses Winterbourne, asking, “ ʻWill you give me a lump of sugar?ʼ he asked, in a sharp, hard little voice - a voice immature, and yet, somehow, not young” (James 1513). Through this quote, James exemplifies Randolph's lack of manner, as the latter randomly asks Winterbourne about candy. The small boy also represents patriotism, as he praises his country throughout the beginning of the book. During his dialogue with Winterbourne, he manifests his preference for American candy, saying, “ ʻI can't get candy here - any American candy. American candy's the best candyʼ ” (James 1513). Later in the text, Randolph illustrates his partiality towards American people, saying, “ ʻAre you an American man?ʼ pursued this vivacious infant. And then, on Winterbourne's affirmative reply - ʻAmerican men are the best,ʼ he declared” (James 1513). These affirmations reflect Randolph's sense of innocence, as he doesn't know much about other cultures.
In the discussion between Daisy, Winterbourne, and Randolph, the reader sees the latter ignore his sister's warnings about his excessive consumption of candy. As later on, Winterbourne joins Daisy before leaving to the Chateau de Chillon, she describes how her mother tries to persuade Randolph to go to bed, stating, “ ʻShe's gone somewhere after Randolph; she wants to try to get him into bed. He doesn't like to go to bed.ʼ ” (James 1522). This quote elucidates Randolph's independency towards his mother as he does not respect her orders. Randolph however, does not forget about his past and he demonstrates this, saying, “ ʻI don't want to go to Italy. I want to go to America.ʼ ” (James 1515).
Randolph Miller plays a key role in the debut of the plot as he introduces Daisy Miller to Winterbourne. As mentioned, James refers Randolph to an American patriot, as the latter praises American candy and people above other cultures. His sense of innocence and of independence seem to represent Randolph as the American Adam, however, his willingness to return to America does not meet the third trait, which consists of leaving the past behind.

Works Cited

Dunbar, Viola. “The Revision of Daisy Miller.”Modern Language Notes 65.5 (1950): 311-317. JSTOR. 5 May 1950. Web. 23 Nov. 2014.
James, Henry. “Daisy Miller: A Study.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Shorter Eighth Edition. Ed. Nina Baym et al. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2008. 1511-1549. Print.
James, Henry. The Art Of The Novel, Critical Prefaces By Henry James; With An Introduction by Richard P. Blackmur. n.p.: New York, London, C. Scribner's sons, 1934. Greenwood Library Catalog. Web. 23 Nov. 2014.
Kennedy, Ian. “Frederick Winterbourne: The Good Bad Boy in Daisy Miller.” Arizona Quarterly 29.2 (Summer 1973): 139-150. Rpt. in Short Story Criticism. Ed. Anna J. Sheets. Vol. 32. Detroit: Gale Group, 1999. Literature Resource Center. Web. 23 Nov. 2014.