Beauty and Desire: Daisy is undeniably beautiful, attracting the attention of many men, including Fiddler. Her beauty, however, becomes a source of both pride and pain. It brings her fleeting attention, but also fuels her loneliness and ultimately leads to her downfall.
Lost Innocence and Regret: Daisy's relationship with Fiddler, while passionate, is doomed from the start. Their affair is a youthful rebellion against the confines of Spoon River society, but ultimately leaves Daisy heartbroken and ostracized. Her later years are filled with regret and bitterness, as she realizes the fleeting nature of passion and the consequences of her choices.
Social Constraints and Victimhood: Daisy's story reflects the restrictive nature of small-town life in early 20th-century America. She is judged harshly for her choices and struggles to find acceptance. While some might view her as reckless and irresponsible, others, particularly those familiar with the Anthology's other characters, might see her as a victim of societal expectations and limited opportunities.
Symbolism: Daisy serves as a powerful symbol of the destructive nature of romantic idealization and the crushing weight of societal expectations on women. Her story highlights the consequences of unfulfilled dreams and the fragile nature of beauty and passion in a world that often fails to appreciate their true value.
Overall, Daisy Fraser is a character that invites interpretation and empathy. She is not simply a beautiful woman who made bad choices. Her story is a tragic reminder of the complexities of human desire, the limitations of societal structures, and the enduring power of regret.