Although Miss Miller’s death caused me great distress, I can’t help thinking that maybe it was all for the best, maybe.
Yours truly,
Frederick Winterbourne
Character study: Winterbourne is a 27-year-old American, but he has lived in Geneva for most of his life. It is this that may make him seem more European than American. He falls in love with a girl, Daisy Miller, whilst visiting his aunt in Vevey. Although Daisy is rejected by society, he stands by her until her death, which he feels partly responsible for.
This letter is quite formal as it is of a serious nature and thus very intimate. The sentences are long with lots of descriptive words of his feelings and memories.
Lili Costello
94 rue de Paris
Paris
Dearest sister,
Well, that flirtatious American I told you about died in whilst I was in Rome. Frederick had come to visit me and came across this girl and her family again. Although I warned him many times about seeing this girl, I do feel for him. He became very attached, however he is the only one to be blamed for his grief. He doesn’t talk of her any more although I know that she is often in his thoughts.
I told him the day he came to Rome that this girl had been going around with all sorts of folk, not to mention the courier. She was always a flirtatious girl who wanted nothing more than to tease poor Frederick until she found a better source of fun. Often I mentioned this to Frederick in Vevey, but he never listened. However when we arrived in Rome he finally realized what I meant. She had been going around all over the place and Frederick was bound to be dragged in to the situation. I always knew it would only ever end in tragedy.
Everyone was talking about her all over Rome. She would be seen all over the town with a different man on her arm every time. The Americans never had any respect for the culture in Europe. Maybe over there she would not have stood out, but her actions in Rome were not acceptable under any circumstances.
Frederick is so naive. I could always see that he would end up being hurt by this girl, however, not quite in the way it turned out. Perhaps her death is for the best. Hopefully Frederick will not be so stupid next time he sees some common girl walking the streets.
I’ll leave you now; my head is thumping again. These migraines come more and more often at the moment. I can only sit here and hope it will pass.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Costello
Character study: Mrs. Costello is Winterbourne’s aunt and although also not originally from Europe she has a very European attitude to certain things. She refuses to mix with people who are lower in society than she is, for example the Millers. She can perhaps be seen as slightly pompous and she also seems to know everything that goes on behind the scenes.
The letter is quite informal as Mrs. Costello is writing to her sister. She uses short sentences and is very critical.
Rosalind Tamman
17 rue de Groggos
Vevey
Dear Rosalind,
Since Daisy’s death, many things have changed in my life. I let her lead her life as she wished, never telling her what to do, and this is the consequence. I wrote to Mr. Miller informing of Daisy’s death and he rushed over to Rome immediately. I was very pleased to see him, as was Randolph. We have been to left to comfort each other since Daisy died, but my little boy stayed strong for me. Since daisy died, Randolph has been very quiet, saying little and responding politely to my instructions without question. He was pleased to see his father, but he is clearly saddened without his sister around. He is so young to be subject to such misery.
Mr. Miller showed little emotion when he came to Rome, but we have now gone back to Schenectady. Randolph and I would not have been able to cope on out own without our dearest Annie. It seems we had few friends in Europe, so we are glad to be back in Schenectady.
I can only blame myself for Daisy’s death. I should have held her back at times when she wanted to go out. Mr. Winterbourne was a nice man. Maybe I should have stopped her seeing Mr. Giovanelli.
My life feels so empty without Daisy. I would do anything to bring her back. Randolph is growing up, but we will never be able to replace Daisy. We are all missing her dearly, but perhaps we knew the end was inevitable. She was always going around all over the place. She was bound to get the fever sometime. Perhaps I should have done something, said something, but now it is all too late.
Yours,
Mrs. Miller
Character study: Mrs. Miller is mother of Randolph and Daisy. She is a very nervous and ill woman and this can be seen in the letter. Due to her lack of control over Daisy’s actions, she is seen as low class and a bad mother.
This letter is very personal and emotional after Daisy’s death. It is intimate and informal, perhaps showing a lack of class in the language and informality.