A Surprise Ending

In the final chapters of The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton is able to sway the reader to sympathize with Lily. When Lily is approached by Nettie, an old acquaintance, a new light shines on her perspective. I believe that Nettie was introduced later on in the book to give the reader hope that Lily would find a way to make something of her life just as Nettie had. However, Lily still lacked the hope necessary to push forward. "But the terrible silence and emptiness seemed to symbolize her future- she felt as though the house, the street, the world were all empty, adn she alone left sentient in a lifeless universe" (Wharton, 261). Wharton wants us to decided for ourselves how Lily's future will play out. However, the end of Lily's life was closer than I had anticipated. Lily's death came as a shock to me as I was reading the novel. I thought that Selden would be able to profess his love to Lily, but time had just run out. Even though Lily was dead when Selden had arrived, he still knew that he was in love with Lily. Honestly, I think Lily and Selden were destined for each other and just had inopportune timing of finalizing the facts.

Painful Goodbye

The emotional roller coaster Lily is riding in The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton takes many turns at this point in the book. For the first time in the book, Wharton describes Lily to be crying in the presence of Selden. I think Wharton made Lily cry in Selden's presence to make the point that Selden was the only one who could induce Lily's true emotions. In these chapters, Wharton makes the point that Selden is really the only one who can understand Lily. However, I think that for Lily's best interest, they need to move on in their lives. As Lily is speaking with Selden, she says to him, "Do you remember what you said too me once? That you could help me only by loving me? Well- you did love me for a momen; and it helped me. It has always helped me. But the moment is gone- it was I who let it go. And one must go on living. Goodbye" (Wharton, 251). I think that Lily's intentions for meeting formally with Selden one last time were for closure and inner peace. She needed to appropriately say goodbye to Selden. Even though Lily is now unemployed and living in a halfway house, letting go of this part of her life will be key in the life she leads ahead of her. I think that everyone reaches a moment in their life where, at some point, they realize that letting go of something is essential for growth.

Working for a Living?

As Lily goes about her life in The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, she realizes that she is going to have to become employed. Mrs. Fisher is able to help her achieve this goal. Lily becomes employed with a woman, Mrs. Hatch. Ms. Bart serves as her seceretary. Lily's intentions were partially to become less dependent on Gerty. Like Lily, most people do not particularly like asking for help from other people. The vast majority of people believe they are invincible and can deal with whatever life throws at them. Lily is trying to become more independent by accepting the job as Mrs. Hatch's secretary. However, Selden believes that Lily should go back to stay with Gerty. When Lily sees Selden at her work, she is taken back for a moment. Though Lily hates Selden, she cannot help but fnd herself lured by his intrinsic nature. "Even under the most adverse conditions, that pleasure always made itself felt; she might hate him, but she had never been able to wish hi out of the room" (Wharton, 225). This quotes illustrated Lily's ability to hate Selden lovingly.

Unanticipated Outcomes

The next few chapters of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton were filled with unanticipated happenings. Lily adamantly states her intentions with Rosedale. She did this because she did not want to delay possible marriage arrangments any longer. However, she was appauled when Rosedale has said he had no intentions of marrying her. "My dear Miss Lily, I'm sorry if there's been any little misapprehendsion between us- but you made me feel my suit was so hopeless that I had really no intention of renwing it" (Wharton, 206). Rosedale is still madly in love with Lily, but given the recent happenings in Lily's life, he cannot be too closely associated with her. He does not want to commit to Lily in the form of marriage. If Lily's disgraceful actions had not been made public among her social circle, she would have had no issues luring Rosedale into a marriage. The fact that Rosedale does not want to marry her will only cause for more socially accepted men to follow suit. Though men are still deeply infatuated with Lily and her beauty, she is becoming less desirable in a social sense.

New and Improved

In this portion of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, Lily seems to be adjusting to a new way of life. She is invited by Mrs. Fisher to a party at the Gomer's house. Lily hesitantly agrees to come and I think that it was in her best interest to join the dinner party. She knew that she had to make changes on the account of her aunt's death earlier on in the book. "It seemed to Lily, as Mrs. Peniston's door closed on her, that she was taking a final leave of her old life" (Wharton, 187). In Lily's efforts to conform to a new self, she discusses with Mrs. Fisher the idea of marriage. I think that Lily was apprehensive to speak about getting married with Mrs. Fisher, but I think that if Lily starts to think about her long-term plans then she can set goals for herself that will allow her to move in the right direction. Lily had established that she was going to try to marry Rosedale, but this decision was made prior to an unexpected visit from George Dorset. His apologetic comments were not accepted with gratitude by Lily. I think that George Dorset will continue to play a role in the closing chapters of the novel.

Wake-up Call

As Lily returns from Europe in The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, she arrives home to some upsetting news. Lily's aunt, Mrs. Peniston suddenly died. A great deal of Mrs. Peniston's family came for funeral arrangements. Also the family discussed the will with Mrs. Peniston's lawyer. When going over the will, the family discovers that Lily has been disinherited by her aunt. Mrs. Peniston was so ashamed in who Lily was that she felt she had no choice but to disinherit her. "No one looked at her, no one seemed aware of her presence; she was probing the very depths of insignificance" (Wharton, 180). Throughout Lily's life, she had always been a part of a significant crowd, and at that moment I feel as though it was difficult for Lily to be viewed as inconsequential among her own family. Lily was only given ten thousand dollars while one of her other family members was given her aunt's estate and inheritance. Mrs. Peniston's death was a wake-up call for Lily to get her life back on the right track. Without the her aunt's inheritance to help her, Lily was going to have to form a great deal of independence.

Anti Vacation

As the second book of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton opens, Lily cruises across the Mediterranean with the Dorsets. Lily figures that this vacation is just what she needs to escape from her seemingly collapsing life. The Dorsets were willing to allow Lily to accompany them. However, I think that the feuding between Lily and Bertha is only just starting to fulminate. The wanted break from her stressful life was starting to slip from her fingertips. I think that Bertha is starting to get upset with Lily's ability to stay at the top of the social ladder even after her continual tribulations. "A chill of fear passed over Miss Bart: a sense of remembered treachery that was like the gleam of a knife in the dusk. But the compassion, in a moment, got the better of her instinctive recoil" (Wharton, 168). This quote shows that the confrontation with Bertha is only allowing her to remember how she felt prior to the trip. I think that Lily will only be able to put her life back together by accepting everything that has been going wrong in her life. I believe that by starting with acceptance, she will be able to rebuild herself.

Losing Hope

As the first book of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton reaches its end, Lily's life seems to be on a downward spiral. Lily Bart's aunt, Mrs. Peniston, received confirmation from Lily that her gambling problems were in fact real. I think that Mrs. Peniston was disgusted with Lily's habits because she considered them to be unladlylike. When Lily told her aunt that she had thousands of dollars in debt to pay due to her gambling problem, her aunt was adamant about the fact that she would not be helping Lily. In addition to Lily's deteriorating relationship with her aunt, other relationships around her were becoming distant. I think Lily had written the note to Selden in hopes of meeting with him and clearing the air between them. When Lily had requested that they meet at four and he was hours late, she was gettting concerned. "She understood now that he was never coming- that he had gone away becasue he was afraid that he might come" (Wharton, 146). This excerpt from the book was taken after hours of Selden not showing. Lily was starting to lose hope in the people around her. She was starting to realize that the people who she thought would be there for her were only temporarily available.

Feuding Friends

Feelings of hatred and frustration are directed at Lily Bart in these next two chapters of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. A heated conversation between Lily Bart and Gus Trenor takes place. I believe that Gus Trenor instigated this argument to call Lily out on her actions because he was frustrated. Also, I do not believe that Lily's actions were ever called out by someone so aggressively. Being flirtatious with men has been a distinct aspect of Lily's personality since the beginning of the book. Gus Trenor was upset because Lily was not reciprocating the feelings that he shared for her. Meanwhile, Selden was showing a growing interest in Gerty Farish, Lily's best friend. Though Lily and Gerty were best friends, Gerty began to feel as though she hated Lily. I think these feelings were fueled by the men in their lives. Even though Gerty was weighing her true investments in her friendship with Lily, Gerty knew that Lily was going through a lonely point in her life. "Everything in the past seemed simple, natural, full of daylight- and she was alone in a place of darkness adn pollution.- Alone! It was the loneliness that frightened her" (Wharton, 138). Lily was starting to get a taste of loneliness in her life; something that Lily did not have an aquired taste for. I think that Lily's troubles with her relationships are going to only worsen before they get better.

Tainted Views

Throughout the next part of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, gossip becomes more prevalent. As Lily's aunt, Mrs. Peniston, converses with Ms. Stepney, she realizes that negative gossip is circulating about Lily. Mrs. Peniston of course is an avid gossiper herself, but she proves to be in a state of shock when she finds that people are gossiping about her precious Lily. In fact, Mrs.Peniston had said in a frightened voice, "Such things were never heard of in my day. And my own niece! I'm not sure I understand you" (Wharton, 100). This quote shows Mrs. Peniston's denial about her niece's true ways. I think that the relationship between Mrs. Peniston and Lily could be compared to some realtionships that children have with their parents. Some parent are completely oblivious to the lives that their children lead. Just like Mrs. Peniston is unaware of Lily's scandalous nature. I feel as though Mrs. Peniston will go through her own troubles to assure herself that these rumors regarding Lily are nothing but false. I think that most of the women in the book are modest and traditional. The fact that Lily is not as conservative as most women does not settle well among her peers and respected authorities.

Empathy Maybe?

While reading the next few chapters of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, I learn more details about the people in Lily's life. I am introduced to her aunt, Mrs. Peniston in this chapter. As far as the aunt's importance in the novel, I am unsure of at the moment. As Lily is greeted by her aunt in the novel, her aunt starts off speaking at great lengths which does not allow for Lily to get a word in edgewise. Also, another character that I took note of was Mrs. Farrish. I believe that Mrs. Farrish will prove to be an inconsequential. However, for this portion of the chapter, she plays a somewhat important role. As Lily sees Mrs. Farrish using her wealth to help charities, Lily starts to think of herself on the same level as the girls who would benefit from such charities. "She pictured herself leading such a life as theirs- a life in which achievement seemed as squalid as failure-and the vision made her shudder sympathetically" (Wharton, 90). Since Lily notices her once financially stable lifestyle crumbling beneath her, she starts to empathize with women in similar situations. As a result, Mrs. Farrish's role in the novel was short-lived yet monumental.

Financial Friends

Friendship and favors are themese in the next few chapters of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. I have met a new character who is a good friend to Lily. I believe that the character Gus Trenor will play a pivotal role throughout the novel. Since Lily had debts due to her gambling problem, she was in need of some financial help from a friend. I believe she went to Gus Trenor because she knew that he would not be able to turn her request down. She knew that unless she was able to pay off her debts, she would have to make some drastic lifestyle changes. "She had reached a point where abrupt retrenchment was necessary, and the only cheap life was a dull life" (Wharton, 64). Lily believes that cutting back would help her back up the social ladder. However, if a kind friend would be willing to assist her financially, then she would be in no position to argue. Gus would easily fall for Lily's beauty and be more than willing to volunteer for such an opportunity to show his friendliness. Once again, Lily's beauty proves to be an extremely valuable asset.

Complements in the House

The next few chapters of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton involve a great deal of dialogue between Lily and Selden. I think that Lily and Selden have a connection that is hard to understand and their relationship could possibly lead to something more. Both Lily and Selden are very opinionated and insightful people. One day when Lily and Selden are conversing, Selden says, "The people who take society as an escape from work are putting it to its porper use; but when it becomes the thing worked for it distorts all the relations of life" (Wharton, 56)  This comment made by Selden implies that he has a keen view of life and society as a whole. He is a man who is well aware of his surroundings; because of his intuitiveness, Selden is able to perceive the people around him. Although Selden's attraction to Lily is made quite obvious, he is still able to be cunning and sly in other ways. Lily is able to conceal her emotions quite well. By flirting and showing interest, she is able to lure any man her way. Lily and Selden are both quick to think on their feet, and as a result, they complement each other. I think that their quick-witted banter and ability to disagree with each other will make them a cohesive pair.

Wealthy and Wise

Throughout chapters three and four of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, I learned more about the complex life of Lily Bart. Lily's gambling problem is disclosed in chapter three and I believe that her gambling will prove to be a recurring point throughout the novel. "To be poor seemed to her such a confession of failure that it amounted to disgrace; and she detected a note of condescension in the friendliest advances" (Wharton, 26). This quote shows that Lily does not think highly of those who are poor. She grew up in a wealthy family and this lifestyle is the only lifestyle that she has ever known. When she lost a great deal of money gambling, Lily was forced to realize that she may have to live her life poorly. To Lily, the "poor" and "impoverished" lifestyle was not for her. Her mother knew that when Lily was young that Lily would be able to use her beauty to find a man who would keep her high social status. Beneath the care of her mother, Lily grew up learning to enjoy material goods. I think Lily's struggle to stay within the confines of the circle of wealth will become a key theme throughout the book.

Beautiful, Scandalous Lily

When I started reading The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, I immediately took note of Lily's ability to manipulate men. Selden, the man whom Lily is with in the beginning of the book, has fallen easily for Lily's flirtatious actions. "The provocation in her eyes increased his amusement- he had now supposed she would waste her powder on such small game..." (Wharton, 5). This quote illustrates the ways that Lily is able to toy with men's feelings about her. Lily is able to be subtle as she goes about her flirtatious ways with men. I believe that Lily's ways of easily associating with men will only become more prevalent throuhgout the book. Wharton could possibly be noting Lily's beauty to hint at the fact that it could be used for scandalous purposes with particular men later on in the novel. As Lily did with both Selden and Mr. Gryce in the first few chapters, she saw things she wanted, and set out to pursue them. She was able to use her beauty in her favor to intrigue the men. I believe that Lily's beauty is her weapon of choice.