Chapter One
The House of Mirth
By Edith Wharton
As book one begins, nearly three months gone by, times have changed, seasons have passed, settings have been rearranged, and people moved on. These changes are what disclose the most crucial details and private secrets hidden within the lines of every page. Most substantially, such changes are represented in the shifts of seasons from the dreary Winter to life-rich Spring. The setting change is visible in the Spring-like stories and interactions of every person and it is the blossoming season that is most clearly reflected in the moods and actions of the characters . After being heartbroken by unrequited love, Selden changes his setting by going abroad in order to allow his direction and focus to shift Lily. Thinking he has been successful in moving on, Selden is unaware of his still blossoming emotions which bloom and are reborn when he encounters Lily on the train to Nice. Additionally, Selden shifted from never socializing at great lengths with the rich elite to dining with and serving as a member of their group. The most visible connection to the season however is in the analogy of Lily's ever changing relationships. In the story of Lily's past chance of marrying an Italian prince, the reader sees, however, that Lily truly does desire love as she once more ran form a marriage of money. As in Selden states, "There's nothing grimmer than the tragedy that wears a comic mask (Wharton, Page 155)," it is saddening to see Lily struggle so desperately when everything she desires is around her. Just like Spring though, it is unclear what Lily's future will hold. From season to season and setting to setting, the plot changes from book to book.
As book one begins, nearly three months gone by, times have changed, seasons have passed, settings have been rearranged, and people moved on. These changes are what disclose the most crucial details and private secrets hidden within the lines of every page. Most substantially, such changes are represented in the shifts of seasons from the dreary Winter to life-rich Spring. The setting change is visible in the Spring-like stories and interactions of every person and it is the blossoming season that is most clearly reflected in the moods and actions of the characters . After being heartbroken by unrequited love, Selden changes his setting by going abroad in order to allow his direction and focus to shift Lily. Thinking he has been successful in moving on, Selden is unaware of his still blossoming emotions which bloom and are reborn when he encounters Lily on the train to Nice. Additionally, Selden shifted from never socializing at great lengths with the rich elite to dining with and serving as a member of their group. The most visible connection to the season however is in the analogy of Lily's ever changing relationships. In the story of Lily's past chance of marrying an Italian prince, the reader sees, however, that Lily truly does desire love as she once more ran form a marriage of money. As in Selden states, "There's nothing grimmer than the tragedy that wears a comic mask (Wharton, Page 155)," it is saddening to see Lily struggle so desperately when everything she desires is around her. Just like Spring though, it is unclear what Lily's future will hold. From season to season and setting to setting, the plot changes from book to book.
Chapter Fifteen
The House of Mirth
By Edith Wharton
Thus far in Edith Wharton's novel, The House of Mirth, the reader has been taken on an unpredictable journey of happiness and sadness, love and heartbreak, success and failure. In Chapter Fifteen, the first book ends leaving the reader uncertain as to whether Lily will succumb to the pressures of Mr. Rosedale and chose a life of simple material pleasure or pursue Mr. Selden in true happiness and love. Most substantially though, money begins to be worth so much to Lily that it develops a greater value than her own life. All throughout this continual development of plot, Wharton continues to challenge the reader through the development of various themes and pushes the reader to acknowledge the social issues presented within society. It is for the care with which these issues are displayed and the guidance of the reader in developing their own opinions that I view Wharton's novel as a success. From the style with which it is written to the contrivance itself, Wharton's work is a masterpiece through which the reader is pushed to analyze their own weaknesses in desires of wealth and social acceptance. Wharton takes controversial ideas and thrusts them into the lime light of debate urging society to take action and change its expectations of women and wealth. As Lily realizes that Mr. Selden had left, "She understood now that he was never coming-that he had gone away because he was afraid that he might come (Wharton, Page 146)," Wharton challenges the reader to be courageous and take action in making changes.
No comments:
Post a Comment