The End of the House of Mirth

I didn't really like the end to The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. In fact, I hated it. The one thing that the audience has wanted throughout the entire book, is for Selden and Lily to get married. Wharton knows that, and brings them together and apart way too many times. When it comes to the very end of the book, Selden of course realizes he loves Lily. At the end Wharton writes "At the very least he had loved her..." (Wharton 267).  This of course comes to late, for Lily has overdosed on sleep medicine. Really? I understand that the author didn't want to end the book with a fairy tale ending, but did she really  have to add insult to injury by having Selden want to mary the dead Lily? I found this ending had just a bit too much coincidence, as did other pieces of this book, like the meeting at Monte Carlo. This book overall, I found to be interesting. I would've hoped that more happiness would have come to Lily Bart, after she realized her obsession with money.

The House of Mirth Book 2 Chapters 11-12

In the 11th and 12th chapters of Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth, Lily has been fired from her job. I find it sad, but slightly humorous, that Lily gets fired from a job, for before, she was much to good for a job, yet now, she isn't good enough. Lily's getting fired just makes her story even sadder. This sets in on Lily, and she decides she will go blackmail Bertha Dorset. I thought for a moment, that the story may have a happy ending for Lily, but, alas, she decides she will go to Selden instead. It seems as if her life will not get on track. When she is with Selden, she burns the letters. She is now doomed to her meager existence. I still don't understand why Wharton couldn't have had Lily and Selden get married, having Lily get over her need for wealth that way. It doesn't seem the story needed to come to this, but truly it has. I would have much rather seen Lily and Selden together, for they were seemingly the perfect couple. Rather than the happy ending that could have been, it seems we are in store for a sad ending. While Lily was preoccupied with the material things in life, and wasn't the greatest of people, it doesn't seem fitting for her to end like this, poor, and fired from a job at a hat store. Wharton writes "What debt did she owe to a social order which had condemned and banished her without trial" (Wharton 244)?  Lily hadn't been given a fair chance to prove her innocence, but neither did she try to. Lily truly seems to be doomed to a poor lonely life.

The House of Mirth Book 2 Chapters 9-10

In chapters 9 and 10 of The House of Mirth, by Edith Wharton, Lily has been brought all the way down to the working class. This is so very different from the Lily from the beginning of the story. In the beginning Lily would have used the letters to regain her social affluence. Wharton writes referring to Lily "She discovered an increasing sense of loneliness--a dread of returning to the solitude of her room, while she could be anywhere else, or in any company but her own" (Wharton 238). I still wonder why Lily is so hesitant to use the letters. While she doesn't want to hurt Selden, and I can understand that it would be the right thing not to turn in the letters, I would say not many would be able to hold back the evidence. I know that if I had gone from hanging out with the richest people of New York all the way down to making hats, I would have used the letters. She would have a whole lot of money, if she would just blackmail the wretched woman who would just be getting what she deserves. Lily is also taking sleeping medication, which can't be good, is Lily destined to become homeless and addicted to drugs now? I hope not, that does not seem like the woman we first met, yet it is entirely possible now. It is quite sad how bad Lily's life has gotten, she doesn't even talk to Gerty any more, for fear of running into Selden. I hope Lily's life picks up, for it's beginning to be a bit of a sob story.

The House of Mirth Book 2 Chapters 7-8

In chapters 7 and 8 of Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth, Lily is forced to move further and further downward on the social ladder. Wharton writes "Society did not turn away from her, it simply drifted by, preoccupied and inattentive, letting her feel, to the full measure of her humbled pride, how completely she had been the creature of it's favour." (Wharton 212)While in the beginning of the story, Lily would not even give Rosedale the time of day, she is now so bad off that she has to propose herself marriage to Rosedale. Oh how the great have fallen. I find it funny that Lily gives this man that she loathes so much an opportunity for marriage. What's even funnier is that he refuses her. It looks like Lily's out of options. Her life has gotten harder, and harder. It then seems that she and Selden might get back together, but when he rips up the paper, it seems even that path is no blocked off. I have no idea where the Lily Barton story may go from here, but I have a feeling she will not be able to go back to the rich life she is accustomed to. Our story may take a dramatic shift, if Lily cannot get her finances in order. I am curious as to what direction the story may turn.

The House of Mirth Book 2 Chapters 5-6

In chapters 5 and 6 of The House of Mirth, by Edith Wharton, it seems Lily is going to go back to her old ways. Even though most all her old friends have abandoned her, Carry Fisher introduces her to the Gormers. Lily, feels that she is too good for the Gormers even though she has almost no money to her own name. Lily goes on a trip with the Gormers to Alaska, helping the Gormers to move up the social ladder. When at the Gormers newly built country-house, Lily runs into George Dorset. George obviously wants a divorce from his wife, and for Lily to mary him. Oddly enough, Lily makes a moral decision, saying no, for she doesn't want to ruin the marriage. Even though her getting the Dorsets divorced would ruin Bertha, who has screwed Lily multiple times, she still refuses. Later, Lily meets George Dorset and is able to again refuse him.Wharton writes "Their eyes met, and for a second she trembled again with the nearness of the temptation" (Wharton 201). This shows that while it may have helped Lily, she is able to make the right decision. While Lily is still focused deeply on money, it seems that she is beginning to become a better person. She has become more moral and upstanding, and I am interested to see where this leads, whether Lily will ever pass into Selden's "Repuclic of the Spirit" (Wharton 54).

The House of Mirth Book 2 Chapters 3-4

In these chapters of Edith Wharton's House of Mirth, Lily's life begins to crumble away. Lily's supposed friends seemingly are abandoning her. Even Lily's aunt abandons her in death, giving Lily ten thousand dollars, while giving Grace Stepney the rest of her assets. I am curious as to where the story will go from here. It seems Lily's influential friends want nothing to do with her now. Will Lily be able to keep her lifestyle afloat, or will she be forced to live like the lowly Gerty Farish. Wharton writes "Lily had the doomed sense of the castaway who has signalled in vain to fleeing sails" (Wharton 185). While in the beginning of the story, Lily condemns the life of Gerty to Selden, it seems Lily may end up living like her, with only 10 thousand dollars to her name, which she is yet to receive. Miscommunication seems to be key in this story, for Grace hated Lily, only because she thought Lily hated her. It is due to this miscommunication that Grace tainted Lily's aunt's views of her, and has now lost her inheritance. Likewise, had Lily's aunt only questioned her about the accusations brought ahead of her, they may have found the truth was not what was told by Grace. I am curious as to what direction the story will now head, for it seems that Lily's life may have changed for good.

The House of Mirth Book 2, Chapters 1-2

So, apparently about three months have passed since Selden put off Lily, and Lily went off to the Mediterranean. In the meantime, Lily's apparently been making quite a name for herself, going all throughout Europe, meeting the most elite, including Duchesses and Lords. Selden went off to Paris for a client, and is now on vacation in Monte Carlo. Of course, by some bizarre coincidence, Lily comes to be in Monte Carlo at the exact time that Selden is there. This seemed a bit ridiculous to me, that the particular day that Selden is just hanging out trying to get over Lily, Lily just happens up out of nowhere. Mrs. Fisher even says "She looks ten year younger--I never saw her so handsome" (Wharton 150). Fate seems to bring the two together, but will not let them come together. At this point, I'm beginning to get a bit sick of the book. The fact that Lily remains essentially unchanged leaves me frustrated. While I did find it humorous that Bertha Dorset accuses Lily of having an affair with her husband, I'm still beginning to find this book a bit of a bore. I will continue to trudge on, however, in hopes that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

End of Book 1

In Chapter 15 of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, we are basically introduced to the old Lily again. All of her seemingly deep realizations, washed away. Rather than wanting to go to simply be with Selden, but to have his help to pay back her debt to Mr. Trenor. They are to meet at four o'clock. The time comes and goes, with no appearance by Selden. This is starting to get ridiculous, everytime the two meet, they fall in love, yet they never end up together. Wharton has repeatedly brought the audience in, expecting for Lily and Selden to get together, then pulling the two apart. I'm beginning to lose faith that the two will ever come together. It seems as if by fate, they are not meant to be. Anyways, after Selden fails to shows, Rosedale shows up, essentially asking Lily to marry him knowing full well she would only be marrying him for the money. It's Lily's perfect situation yet she does not say yes. As she begins to write a letter that will undoubtedly end with Lily and Rosedale married, Lily receives a correspondance asking her to join Bertha Dorset in the Mediterranean.

The House of Mirth Book 1 Chapters 13-14

In chapter 13, of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, Lily is left with two notes, one from Lawrence Selden, and one from Judy Trenor. Lily believes that Lawrence wants to mary her, which she does not want. I don't understand why Lily still doesn't accept that what she truly wants is to mary Selden. She focuses so much on wealth, that she maintains to look past her true happiness. In the note from Judy, she is told to meet at the Trenor house hold. She does, but is met by Mr Trenor. I was pretty surprised when Mr. Trenor held Lily in his house. It seemed as if the situation had gotten to the point that it would end in sexual assault, but at the last moment, Trenor realizes what he is doing and tells Lily to leave. This leaves Lily pretty shaken up. I honestly didn't really understand the beginning of chapter 14, especially the whole "Alone with her cousin's kiss" (Wharton 131). I didn't really understand this quote at all. We go from Selden talking to Van Alstyne, to a cousin's kiss. So, anyway, after that, Lilly goes to Gerty's house, to be consoled over what happened. Lily does seem to realize at this point that her deep need for money is shameful. She seems as if she may be moving away from the money oriented person she is, to become a more grounded person.

The House of Mirth Book 1 Chapters 11-12

In chapter 11, of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, Grace Stepney, Lily's cousin tells Lily's aunt about what she's been up to. Grace's feelings were hurt when she wasn't invited to a party,  and because of this, she decides to go tell Lilly's aunt all the shady things Lily had done, primarily the flirting with a married man, and having supposed gambling debts. Rather than simply asking Lily like any sane person would have done, she instead decides that if she talks to Lily it might "provoke a scene," so instead of questioning her niece, she simply assumes that the charges brought against Lily are true.

In chapter 12, Lily takes part in a living picture exhibit where Lily is seen as the most beautiful of all the other women included in the exhibit. During this chapter I concluded that Gerty Farish is Lily's truest friend. Just like how Lawrence Selden is her true love, but she keeps going away from him, Gerty is the one person who truly likes her for her, not how she looks, or how much money she has. While most of Lily's other friends would have talked behind Lily's back about the rumors, Gerty defends Lily saying "It makes me so angry when I hear her being called cold and conceited!" (Wharton, 108). It is likely that none of Lily's other friends would not have defended her. Selden and Lily also have a moment of passion at this event. It seems as if the story may soon come to a head over the choice of wealth or true happiness and fulfillment. I for one hope Lily chooses the the people that will allow her to live a life that is about more than just how much money one possesses.

The House of Mirth Book 1 Chapters 9-10

In the beginning of chapter 9 of The House of Mirth, we are met by the same servant girl that was at Selden's house. I found myself confused, wondering why this same woman was here. I was given an answer in little time, she has come to blackmail Lily. Lily, who usually possesses terrible luck, in this certain situation lucks out. Not only are the letters not from her, but rather they are from Mrs. Dorset, who was seemingly having a romantic encounter with Mr. Selden. I found this surprising, for I thought that Mr. Selden was a man of high integrity, who cared little about finances, and who had a vast knowledge. I was also surprised that Lily payed for the letters when they incriminated a woman that she less than cared about. She showed maturity in buying the letters to save her friend Selden the humiliation. Edith Wharton writes "She was aware only of feeling that Selden would wish the letters rescued" (Wharton, 85). I found myself surprised that Lily cared more for the feelings of someone else, than the revenge that she might enjoy.

In Chapter 10, Lily goes to the opera, with Rosedale and Gus Trenor, two people she doesn't especially enjoy. When Trenor said he wanted for her to visit him alone, I was appalled. When at the Bellomont, Mrs. Trenor had been such good friends with Lily, and to think that he believed Lily would do this to her friend. While they are talking, they are interrupted by George Dorset, who believes his wife is fooling around with another man. This gives credence to the possibility that Selden and Bertha Dorset had an affair.

The House of Mirth Book 1 Chapters 7-8

In chapters 7 and 8, of The House of Mirth, Lily's initial plans of marrying Mr. Gryce are seemingly lost. After she decides to go off with Lawrence instead of Percy, one of the women tells Percy Gryce that Lily isn't exactly the angel that she's said she is. This makes him head out on the first train out of there the next day. Lawrence goes on this train as well. I found it funny that both the man that she wanted to marry his money, and the man who company she actually enjoyed both leave her the same day. She is left with neither, after not choosing one of the other. It seems to me that she would be much happier with Lawrence, than with Percy, if she would only be willing to let go of her need for money. She needs to move on with her life, and reach for happiness wherever she can find it, rather than looking for it only in wealth.

Even at the Van Osburgh wedding, Lily is trying to get Percy to mary her, even after she is told that he is dating Evie Van Osburgh. When the wedding starts however, Wharton writes "She did not wish to see him again [Selden]... because his prescence always had the affect of... throwing her whole world out of focus" (Wharton 71). This shows that she still doesn't know what she wants. I hope this leads to a shift in her priorities, so that she can be truly happy.

The House of Mirth Book 1 Chapters 5-6

In chapter 5, of The House of Mirth, we learn from Edith Wharton's narration, Lily's true ambition is to marry Percy Gryce. She doesn't want to marry him because she loves him, or finds him interesting, she wants to marry him for his money. In fact, she recounts the boredom that she feels when she is with him. Lily has her master plan all made up, and is ready to follow it, until something she hadn't expected happens, Lawrence Selden appears. I was kind of surprised to see Selden. While I thought he was a good character as the book began, after Lily went on the train, I wasn't sure whether or not we would see Selden again. I am happy to see him back, for he and Lily, while polar opposites seem a perfect match. While Selden believes success is "To keep a kind of republic of the spirit" (Wharton, 54). Lilly however believes success lies in the materialistic society. I side with Selden, for he seems to have an insight as to how life truly is, while Lily's view is narrow, and focused only on the upper crust society that she has become accustomed to.

The House Of Mirth Book 1 Chapters 3-4

In Chapters 3 and 4 of The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton reveals to the audience the true Lily Bart. While Lily is still engrossed with the material things in life, we see another side of her. A more vulnerable side. We learn why Lilly is forced to calculate the repercussions of every action she makes. She is not rich. While she maintains an opulent lifestyle, she has not the funds to carry this on. She relies on others to allow her to live this lifestyle. We also learn why she wants to live this lifestyle. She is simply following in the way of her late mother who she so dearly looks up to. Warton writes "To the lady and her acquaintances there was something heroic in living as though one were much richer than one's bankbook denoted" (Wharton 23). This shows that as her mother did, Lily as well lives a high lifestyle with meager money. Lily is much more relatable during these chapters, her life has not been perfect, and her life is not as blessed as we were previously led to believe.

The House Of Mirth Book 1 Chapters 1-2

So, I finally started reading The House Of Mirth by Edith Warton. The story seems to focus on an upper class woman named Lilly Bart. Throughout the first two chapters, we have been given a characterization of Bart, through her words and actions. From what I can tell so far, she seems to be very caught up in the material world. She has a very high perception of herself, which is referenced when she passed by a maid, thinking "The poor thing was probably dazzled by such an unwonted apparition" (Wharton 10). She thinks of herself much higher than this lowly woman. Lilly also seems to be fairly manipulative. While she seems to be worry free when we first meet her, later she seems to be worried about what any thing she does may put off to others. She is constantly plotting her next move, on what the implications of her words and actions will have on her life of high society. We learn that she was close to being married to one Mr. Dillworth, but this broke down due to the man's mother's disapproval for Miss Bart. Lilly Bart seems highly conceited, thinking primarily of herself.