The House of Mirth- Book One

Chapter Eight

The House of Mirth

By Edith Wharton

As in life, there are high moments and low, hills and mountains, darkness and blinding light moments within the context of a book. In a crucial moment of The House of Mirth, such a turning point takes place. For Lily Bart, it is not the prospect of success in her own life, but that of another that turns her world upside down.

After a period of uncertainty as she was pulled between marriage for wealth and marriage for love, Lily comes to the conclusion that she must marry Mr. Gryce for the wealth and approval of the elite class she longs to be a part of. Through one such member of this group though, Elite is told, "The engagement is not to be announced till next week-but you are such a friend of Mr. Gryce's that they both wished you to be the first to know of their happiness (Wharton, Page 79)." This simple fact and simple phrase changes the apparent course of the book as Lily is forced to find a new direction for her life and reconsider her options for marriage. Previously, the book had developed the possibilities, but now they must become reality. For some the path seems easy to choose, but like the reflection of light, such obvious solutions can seem distorting.

From here, the book could turn in any direction and Lily could chose any path. From the easy smooth road across a plain to the more difficult hilly road with a view of the mountains, Lily must once more choose between searching for an easy marriage of wealth or that of love and happiness.  As in life, the future is open to a limitless number of possibilities.

Chapter Seven

The House of Mirth

By Edith Wharton

Isak Dinesen said "To be a person is to have a story to tell." As a person, Edith Wharton has a story to tell. For, as the artistic narrator, Wharton paints the tail and as the creative author Wharton controls the reaction. 

The House of Mirth, as told through the third person omniscient and objective point of view, is a reflection and an analysis of society presented as through the thoughts, words, and actions of those involved. Rather than simply looking through a magnifying glass, the reader is guided by Wharton as she crafts the novel into a living tail by presenting the reader with information as though they were the characters themselves. In allowing and guiding such personal and in-dept relations,  Wharton creates a masterful novel that causes the reader to indirectly feel emotion towards the themes and topics. For example, the reader can feel the restraints and better understand the social expectations of the time as Lily reflects on the "tiresome distinction between what a married woman might, and a girl might not, do (Wharton, Page 64)." In hearing the main thoughts and witnessing the actions of the characters in connection to each other, the reader is able to understand and appreciate all aspects of the plot and themes.

With such responsibility of telling a tale comes power. Through complete control and power, Wharton uses the role of narrator to tell a tale and present the issues of society through a new standard. Robert McKee once presented though that an even greater power arises as he said, "Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today."