Chapter Five
The House of Mirth
By Edith Wharton
"People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime." This famous and popular quote is wisely portrayed by Wharton through her introduction of the Gomers to Lily's life. Yet, upon meeting the Gomers, one as a reader is instantly drawn to their similarity to the Trenors and Van Osburghs.
"The people about her were doing the same things as the Trenors, the Van Osburghs and the Dorsets: the difference lay in a hundred shades of aspect and manner, from the pattern of the man's waistcoats to the inflection of the women's voices (Wharton, Page 189)." As Wharton points out through this comparison, the Gomers appear as doubles to the Van Osburghs and Trenors. Despite their surface similarities though, Wharton continues to point out though that the Gomers are more accepting and less judgmental making them friendly protagonists rather than the antagonist Mrs. Dorset has bee throughout the novel. The introduction of these new and open characters comes conveniently in a time of need for Lily as they provide her friendship and shelter as Mrs. Dorset continues the destruction of Lily's social image. Such close similarity though, draws Lily back to desiring and working towards rebuilding her old life and friendships causing her, as Ms. Gerty Farish would point out, to close the door on any possibilities of escaping this lifestyle. While the Gomers appear as though they will do anything for Lily, due to their striking similarities in wealth, social status , and sudden proximity and friendliness with the Dorsets, the reader is forced to wonder what their future role will play in the story and if they too will turn to the spoils of wealth and temptations of acceptance.
Chapter Four
"People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime." This famous and popular quote is wisely portrayed by Wharton through her introduction of the Gomers to Lily's life. Yet, upon meeting the Gomers, one as a reader is instantly drawn to their similarity to the Trenors and Van Osburghs.
"The people about her were doing the same things as the Trenors, the Van Osburghs and the Dorsets: the difference lay in a hundred shades of aspect and manner, from the pattern of the man's waistcoats to the inflection of the women's voices (Wharton, Page 189)." As Wharton points out through this comparison, the Gomers appear as doubles to the Van Osburghs and Trenors. Despite their surface similarities though, Wharton continues to point out though that the Gomers are more accepting and less judgmental making them friendly protagonists rather than the antagonist Mrs. Dorset has bee throughout the novel. The introduction of these new and open characters comes conveniently in a time of need for Lily as they provide her friendship and shelter as Mrs. Dorset continues the destruction of Lily's social image. Such close similarity though, draws Lily back to desiring and working towards rebuilding her old life and friendships causing her, as Ms. Gerty Farish would point out, to close the door on any possibilities of escaping this lifestyle. While the Gomers appear as though they will do anything for Lily, due to their striking similarities in wealth, social status , and sudden proximity and friendliness with the Dorsets, the reader is forced to wonder what their future role will play in the story and if they too will turn to the spoils of wealth and temptations of acceptance.
The House of Mirth
By Edith Wharton
As a result of being disinherited by her Aunt, Mrs. Peniston, in her will and last testement and in the seclusion from her former friends and family who chose to believe the false story of Mrs. Dorset due to her riches rather than trusting in the character of Lily Bart, Lily, "For the first time in her life finds herself utterly alone except for Gerty Farish (Wharton, Page 183)." Despite the disloyalty of her friends and harshness of her family, Lily resolves to do what is just and work to repay her debts and continue to protect the dignity of Mrs. Dorset. In seeing Lily through a new light, one in which she appears more humane with emotions of longing for friendship and acceptance, I sympathize with Lily and see her perhaps in the view of Gerty Farish, as a person with greater qualities and a higher purpose in life. Like Gerty Farish, I begin to hope that Lily too will see this as she moves beyond the constant act of trying to fit in with this rich and unaccepting group. I can see now that Lily truly does not belong amongst them as she cares too much for the well-being others while those others care little about her. In Grace Stepney's blaming of Mrs. Peniston's death on Lily's past failures, I feel condolence for Lily as I can now see that she never would mean to bring such harm to her Aunt.
Character is a quality that can not be manipulated or controlled, but in truth reflects the most inner qualities of a person and their values as an individual. Throughout the plot of The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton develops each character to reflect their morals and individuality. In Chapter Four, the reader, for the first time, is able to most fully see and sympathize with the main character, Lily Bart, in her time of weakness as her true character is fully revealed.
As a result of being disinherited by her Aunt, Mrs. Peniston, in her will and last testement and in the seclusion from her former friends and family who chose to believe the false story of Mrs. Dorset due to her riches rather than trusting in the character of Lily Bart, Lily, "For the first time in her life finds herself utterly alone except for Gerty Farish (Wharton, Page 183)." Despite the disloyalty of her friends and harshness of her family, Lily resolves to do what is just and work to repay her debts and continue to protect the dignity of Mrs. Dorset. In seeing Lily through a new light, one in which she appears more humane with emotions of longing for friendship and acceptance, I sympathize with Lily and see her perhaps in the view of Gerty Farish, as a person with greater qualities and a higher purpose in life. Like Gerty Farish, I begin to hope that Lily too will see this as she moves beyond the constant act of trying to fit in with this rich and unaccepting group. I can see now that Lily truly does not belong amongst them as she cares too much for the well-being others while those others care little about her. In Grace Stepney's blaming of Mrs. Peniston's death on Lily's past failures, I feel condolence for Lily as I can now see that she never would mean to bring such harm to her Aunt.
Throughout the first part of the novel, I had not seen fully Lily's true character, but rather only her more confident mask and pride-filled persona. Now, however, I can see her as a person who is working diligently to become a better version of herself, who is trying to help those around her, and as a person who loves, but is afraid of the pain that might come from the vulnerability of being so open. To fully understand and see another's character, one must look deeper than the external act to the person behind the mask.
No comments:
Post a Comment