Character Relationship Map: Daisy Miller

Characters

• Daisy Miller (played by Cybill Shepherd) — protagonist
• Frederick Winterbourne (played by Barry Brown) — protagonist
• Mr. Giovanelli (played by Duilio Del Prete) — supporting
• Mrs. Costello (played by Mildred Natwick) — supporting
• Mrs. Walker (played by Eileen Brennan) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Daisy Miller → Mr. Giovanelli (Romantic Association)

  In Rome, Daisy repeatedly keeps company with Mr. Giovanelli, despite warnings that his lack of local status could damage her reputation.

• Daisy Miller → Frederick Winterbourne (Potential Romantic Interest)

  Daisy meets Winterbourne at a Swiss spa, and in Rome he remains emotionally torn between his feelings for her and his respect for social customs.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Mrs. Walker → Frederick Winterbourne (Alliance Social Ally)

  Mrs. Walker belongs to the expatriate social circle whose approval and disapproval shape Winterbourne's concerns about Daisy's conduct.

• Mrs. Walker → Daisy Miller (Conflict Social Opponent)

  Mrs. Walker is offended by Daisy's behavior and openly voices her disapproval within the expatriate community.

• Mrs. Costello → Frederick Winterbourne (Social Advisor)

  Mrs. Costello warns Winterbourne about Daisy's reckless ways with men when they are connected through the expatriate social world.

• Frederick Winterbourne → Mr. Giovanelli (Conflict Romantic Rival)

  Winterbourne reacts strongly to Daisy's companionship with Giovanelli and later encounters them together at the Colosseum.

• Mrs. Costello → Daisy Miller (Conflict Social Critic)

  Mrs. Costello's warning about Daisy describes her as behaving recklessly with men and frames her conduct as socially unacceptable.

Story Analysis

A young American's disregard for social convention collides with expatriate judgment, romantic uncertainty, and tragic consequences.

Plot Progression

1. A Flirtation at the Spa
2. Roman Attachments
3. Society Turns Against Daisy
4. The Colosseum Judgment
5. Innocence After Death