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.