In the works of Daisy Miller and the Beast in the Jungle, author Henry James provides readers with multiple explanations as to why it is important to live a full life. These two novellas share many similarities, including central thematic foci, a flawed main character, and a hamartia that makes the stories truly tragic. Both stories warn of the dangers of distraction from enjoying life. However, while the broad strokes are shared, some topics are in stark contrast to each other, particularly the role of love in life, as well as the role of a supporting female character in the protagonist's downfall. While there are some drastically opposing elements between the two stories, the central story of one man's fall into an unfulfilled life remains constant. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Both Daisy Miller and The Beast in the Jungle share strikingly similar protagonists. In Daisy Miller, Winterbourne is a man living abroad who becomes acquainted with the young Daisy Miller. Immediately intrigued, Winterbourne becomes obsessive about Daisy, both in infatuation and judgment. As Daisy wanders around Rome, Winterbourne deems her every decision carefree, all the while seeking her love. By involving himself in this ultimately futile drama and unsuccessfully trying to define Daisy, he has wasted his precious time with obsession. Quite similar is the character of John Marcher in The Beast in the Jungle. Marcher is a man who lives with the persistent fear of a "beast in the jungle", that is, of a future event that will probably traumatize him but which will ultimately give meaning to his life. As his life proceeds without facing the beast, Marcher's fear grows until it consumes his mind. He becomes so obsessed that even when he gets older he still has nothing to show for himself. Ultimately, both characters' obsessive perspectives cause their downfall. From these shared protagonists emerges the common theme of the undeniable sadness of life not lived adequately. In Daisy Miller, Winterbourne develops an obsession with playing the ambiguous character of Daisy. He continually tries to define her and fit her into his preconceived structure of different classes of women. However, Daisy is unique and difficult to define. As he continues to live his life exactly as he wants, Winterbourne sacrifices his life for his love for Daisy. After the two are reunited in Rome, there is a melancholic tone, as Winterbourne has to deal with Daisy enjoying the company of numerous men other than himself. With unrequited love, Winterbourne has nothing to show for his obsession but the sadness of a distracted life. The Beast in the Jungle also explores this theme in the life of John Marcher. Marcher is fixated on the persistent beast that could change him forever, to the point of preventing him from living a normal life. For example, Marcher never marries his life partner May Bartram. Although she loves him with utmost loyalty, he is too focused on impending doom for love. As he reaches the end of his life and the perceived beast has yet to strike, Marcher recognizes that he has truly accomplished nothing in his life. The distraction has wiped the pleasure out of Marcher's life, leaving only regrets. A secondary theme that can be identified in both texts is fate exacerbating failure. James seems to explore the maxim “When it rains, it pours,” creating lives even more disappointing than those created by the protagonists themselves. Daisy Miller's conclusion finds Winterbourne not only remorseful about the time.