![]() ![]() She thinks she understands the rules of society, but they work against her. She tells herself she can live without love, honesty, and kindness, as long as she has wealth and social status.Īt first I was annoyed by Lily’s character, but as the book goes on, you see just how conflicted she is. They have a tormented relationship, neither of them having enough money to satisfy the other, although as a male Lawrence doesn’t face any of the dangers that Lily does. ![]() At the same time, she’s conflicted by her love for Lawrence Selden. Lily is beautiful and smart, and driven by her need for material wealth and status. The House of Mirth is the story of Lily Bart, who is born into a high-society family with no money, raised with the single goal of marrying well. The title comes from Ecclesiastes 7:4: “The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” The House of Mirth, written in 1905, is Edith Wharton’s fourth novel but first critically acclaimed work (she would later win a Pulitzer Prize for The Age of Innocence). A number of readers said they preferred The House of Mirth, and I agree. It was really interesting to read The House of Mirth so soon after The Portrait of a Lady. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |