Wait, Daisy Miller’s Innocence Is Real After All

When I watched the movie version of Daisy Miller, I felt completely different toward Daisy than when I read the story — maybe because Cybill Shepherd is very charming or because Eileen Brennan portrayed Mrs. Walker as a jealous, evil witch — but my attitude shifted dramatically.

When I watched the movie I realized that the story could be interpreted in a completely different way — and that I had probably misinterpreted it the first time, because I think the movie is closer to what Henry James intended than my original interpretation was.

In the movie, I felt sympathy for Daisy. She indeed seemed like an innocent soul shunned by an overly strict and pompous society. Daisy didn’t care about fitting in; amidst the luxurious parties, she was probably the only person not wearing a social mask.

By being her authentic self, Daisy could genuinely enjoy life while those around her worried about their reputations and what others said about them behind their backs.

Daisy didn’t care, or at least acted as if she didn’t; she was pure in the sense that she was unburdened by society’s uptight conventions — a very honest character — and the upper class hated her because of that honesty.

Movie!Daisy rebels against Victorian society’s constricted expectations of women…and she rebels tactfully, because unlike in most countercultural tales, the heroine lacks the typical righteous anger and refrains from going too far in the opposite direction. Daisy’s innocence is simply fresh and rare in a society that is so concerned with outward appearances and conformity.

The Heart Within the Art

Art is a reflection of character, an expression of hidden sentiments. An artist’s personal philosophy colors the work. This is inevitable, whether done consciously or not.

Christians may become tangled in the confusion of what we ought to watch, read, and listen to. The answer is simple, and is in the form of a question:

Does the work glorify God?

If one takes an honest look at life, there is no evading the conclusion that life is essentially depressing. Why traumatize ourselves further with the media we choose to expose our minds to? This isn’t to imply that we should live in a state of unrealistic slap happiness, never reading a book with a sad theme or listening to a song with minor chords. Sadness is part of life…indeed is the very essence of life without God, and we shouldn’t be in denial.

The overarching theme is what I am concerned with. Darkness allows for God’s glorious victory, as He works all of life together according to His plan. If the theme of a work reflects hope, courage, love, and values that align with the purposes of God, then the work satisfies the Holy Spirit indwelling the Christian’s heart. In contrast, I avoid works that glorify nihilism, senseless violence, and disrespect toward God, though this is most of what constitutes the media.

The choice is personal and requires discernment. For example, I find the movie Titanic quite dreary, and I’m not impressed with the moral themes presented. This isn’t to deny that Titanic is a “good” film in the sense that the script is well written, the camerawork is marvelous, and the actors are talented. However, I never want to watch Titanic again and subject my heart to that sinking feeling.

Likewise, some people find Les Miserables terribly depressing, though I don’t think so at all. Though the setting is dark, the message is anything but. Despite the harsh conditions that the characters live in, the heart of the work contains hope, redemption, and agape love.

We practice discernment if we realize not all that appears to be good is truly good. Often, those who appear to be foolish troublemakers are the true workers of good. The homeless tend to have more generous hearts than the rich. The Pharisees are a classic example of evil masquerading behind a good reputation. A repentant sinner is more honorable in God’s sight than a prideful priest.

Therefore, there’s that “something” I search for when I read, watch, play, and listen….