The House of Mirth- Book Two

Chapter Eleven

The House of Mirth

By Edith Wharton

"Time, when it is left to itself and no definite demands are made on it, cannot be trusted to move at any recognized pace Wharton, Page 246)." This wise phrase, presented at a time when time is running out, makes every second valuable by reminding the reader that not everything is always as it seems. In Chapter 11, it appears as though Lily has lost any purpose she has ever had in living as she no longer has a direction in life, dreams to pursue, places to go, or people to be with yet, for a moment, the time stops and turns back.

Lily, having thought of a new plan and regaining a purpose, sets out with the apparent course of using the letters bought almost a year ago with the intention she planned on never withdrawing to. Yet, on her pathway to the Dorsets' house, Lily is stopped by her past and turned toward her memories with Selden. This sudden purposeful and powerful shift symbolizes Lily's final battle with love against money. The letters, symbols of temptation, secrets, and betrayal to her true values and morals, have been a constant weight upon Lily, but by consciously choosing Selden over their pull, she, I hope, has chosen love over wealth.  Thus, she has won her final victory fairly, allowing her to move on despite the challenges that still persist. Like in Harry Potter, Lily has overcome the temptations of living easily through conversion to Voldemort's side by fighting and it is with an open and clear mind now that she can move on as Harry did by following her heart.

While old wounds can be reopened, I hope that Lily recovers and continues to dream and love. I hope that she does not turn back down the road of her past and fall to the power of money. As time is running out for Lily, I hope she makes every second count.

Chapter Ten

The House of Mirth

By Edith Wharton

"Once more, Lily had withdrawn from an ambiguous situation in time to save her self-respect, but too late for public vindication (Wharton, Page 230)." In analyzing the narrator of the story, one as a reader analyzes Wharton as the writer of the plot. With a third person omniscient and objective point of view, Wharton's own life and views become more clear in the narrator's presentation of events and focus.

As Lily finds her past repeated as she is once more pushed from her social circle do to misunderstandings and disillusionment of facts, Wharton blames society as much as if not more than Lily. Wharton, a product of wealth in her own time, presents her analysis and witness of society in her writing. She, knowing the personal struggles of Lily, is able to express her emotions and identify with the pressures of money in marriage, the challenges of finding and holding a job as a woman, and the burdens of conforming to society. Thus, I feel it is with earnestness that Wharton writes and pleas for social change as she writes not about a dream or fantasy, but real life and the world she wanders daily. For, like Lily, Wharton had traveled the world and knew of its greatness and wished for success and happiness. Additionally, she knew of the power of friendships like Selden's and the pain of affairs and betrayal as she wished for support and understanding in the need of emphasis on true love. While the novel is about imagined characters, aspects of them were true and living analogies to Wharton's own life.

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."