The House of Mirth essays

The House of Mirth essays In The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton presents the New York society at the dawn of the 20th century. It is a New York that is divided into strict social classes, where old wealth is being overshadowed by new wealth. The ones below aspire to move higher while those do everything in their power to stay where they are. For women like Lily Bart, however, being rich and beautiful is a tenuous prospect. As they grow older, many find that the Though she is still wealthy at the beginning of the novel, Lily is in a difficult position, one foreshadowed by her meeting with the destitute woman in the streets. Through this juxtaposition, Wharton shows the reader that in many ways, Lily Bart is as constrained as her street woman counterpart. For example, because she is comes from old wealth, Lily could not work without losing social status. When Lily is further estranged from her rich aunt, her position becomes more difficult. At this stage, Lily has scarce options if she wants to retain her social position in New York society. She could not work for a living without sliding down the social ladder. She was in debt to the unscrupulous Mr. Trenor. She had no monetary wealth after being disinherited. Her only asset was her physical beauty, one that was Thus, the only option for a woman of Lily's status and circumstances is a good marriage. Wharton articulates this position clearly, when Lily states that only governesses or widows can be free enough to live by themselves in an apartment. However, women like her were "poor, miserable, marriageable girls" (9), had no choice but to be a wife. Unlike men, who can marry if they desire, Lily states that "a girl must" get married in order to remain accepted in New York society. When she fails to secure marriage and is banished from her social circle, the only alternative for ...