Chapter Fourteen
The House of Mirth
By Edith Wharton
From the first page to the last so much can change. From the season (fall to winter) to the interests of the characters (morally and socially), The House of Mirth takes countless turns such that at times the direction is unclear. As Wharton writes in the words of Mr. Van Alstyne while talking to Seldon, "...appearances are deceptive... (Wharton, Page 131)" In the beginning of the novel, it was clear that Lily's focus was on money, happiness, and success as in the eyes of the elite and wealthy. It seemed as though everyone was content with their life or within grasp of being in such a state. Now, however, it is revealed that Mr. Trenor is unhappy with his money and wants to be in a stronger relationship with Lily but knows she does not want the same, Gerty Farish loves Mr. Selden but knows he will always love Lily, Mr. Rosedale has everything he could want except the perfect wife he sees in Lily, and Lily realizes that she has made a mistake in her lifestlye but knows no way of changing it. With so many uncertainties I question how the story will proceed and the ending it will take.
Questions are not signs of weakness, but that of growth. In questioning the direction of the novel and the themes presented, one as a reader is able to grow in understanding of the author's message and better able to analyze one's own opinions. As the novel reaches the middle of its tail, I question its direction and analyze its meaning.
From the first page to the last so much can change. From the season (fall to winter) to the interests of the characters (morally and socially), The House of Mirth takes countless turns such that at times the direction is unclear. As Wharton writes in the words of Mr. Van Alstyne while talking to Seldon, "...appearances are deceptive... (Wharton, Page 131)" In the beginning of the novel, it was clear that Lily's focus was on money, happiness, and success as in the eyes of the elite and wealthy. It seemed as though everyone was content with their life or within grasp of being in such a state. Now, however, it is revealed that Mr. Trenor is unhappy with his money and wants to be in a stronger relationship with Lily but knows she does not want the same, Gerty Farish loves Mr. Selden but knows he will always love Lily, Mr. Rosedale has everything he could want except the perfect wife he sees in Lily, and Lily realizes that she has made a mistake in her lifestlye but knows no way of changing it. With so many uncertainties I question how the story will proceed and the ending it will take.
In questioning the direction of the book, I can see the importance at looking at every detail and understand that not everything is always at it seems. Questions become the key to moving forward and reaching a conclusion. Questions become answers.
Chapter Thirteen
The House of Mirth
By Edith Wharton
Writing is an art that can be appreciated in countless ways and understood through many contexts. With that, every word becomes important and its composition crucial to the story. For, it is in the author's style that a blank page is filled with meaningful writing.
In The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton's writing style takes the characteristics of a storyteller as she craftily captures the attention of her audience through descriptive diction in varying and complex sentence structures which allow the tale to flow. Wharton presents the story in such a manner that complex ideas become understandable to the reader and chapters become imaginable. For example, she takes Lily's multifarious emotions during her interaction with Mr. Trenor and makes them simple in saying, "All she looked on was the same and yet changed (Wharton, Page 120)." Additionally, Wharton uses countless analogies, metaphors, similes, and allusions to form images common to most readers like the comparison of Lily's emotions to waves crashing on the shore (Wharton, Page 119). In the dialect of the characters, Wharton presents ironies which make the story realistic and humorous. Finally, in the use of figurative language and classy diction, Wharton fully engulfs the reader in the period causing the story to come to life within the imaginations of the audience.
Writing is an art that can be appreciated in countless ways and understood through many contexts. With that, every word becomes important and its composition crucial to the story. For, it is in the author's style that a blank page is filled with meaningful writing. 
In The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton's writing style takes the characteristics of a storyteller as she craftily captures the attention of her audience through descriptive diction in varying and complex sentence structures which allow the tale to flow. Wharton presents the story in such a manner that complex ideas become understandable to the reader and chapters become imaginable. For example, she takes Lily's multifarious emotions during her interaction with Mr. Trenor and makes them simple in saying, "All she looked on was the same and yet changed (Wharton, Page 120)." Additionally, Wharton uses countless analogies, metaphors, similes, and allusions to form images common to most readers like the comparison of Lily's emotions to waves crashing on the shore (Wharton, Page 119). In the dialect of the characters, Wharton presents ironies which make the story realistic and humorous. Finally, in the use of figurative language and classy diction, Wharton fully engulfs the reader in the period causing the story to come to life within the imaginations of the audience.
In her writing, Wharton makes every word meaningful. She analyzes their placement and formulates every line, paragraph, and page so as to make the book most presentable. Through such efforts, her writing becomes characterized by an artistic style.
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