At Winterbourne's assessment of Daisy Miller as a being 'coquette' I immediately thought of Hannah Webster Foster's epistolary novel The Coquette. I perceive Daisy Miller differently, however, than Eliza Wharton. That is, Eliza Wharton struggles with transitioning into society--the transitions are neither natural or easy for her; however, James' text suggests the opposite for Daisy: she has no issue with transitioning into a new culture, a new society. It almost seems as if the text blurs international travel--which, in turn, complicates Daisy's character even more. Because, on the one hand, there is a strict emphasis on Daisy as an American; but, on the other, the text--with it's colonial parable--underscores this New World imperial space (that, in a way, forces us to accepts or unconsciously allow for Daisy's smooth movement/mobility without any real hesitancy or question).
Also, Eliza Wharton has a difficult time with accepting the role of "mother" and "wife"--both of which are expected roles to be filled. Again, Daisy also never seems to have a difficult time with either of these issues. Neither the narrator nor Daisy ever contemplates the necessity or insistance for fulfilling either of these domesticated roles--especially considering all the matriarchal figures have some type of physical ailments that render them dependent (both socially and physically--and even economically, to a certain extent) on the patriarch and it's very "old world" hegemonic, conservative superstructure.
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