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.