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The House of Mirth
320 pages, 1998
The House of Mirth tells the story of Lily Bart, aged 29, beautiful, impoverished, and in need of a rich husband to safeguard her place in the social elite, and to support her expensive habits – her clothes, her charities, and her gambling.
Unwilling to marry without both love and money, Lily becomes vulnerable to the kind of gossip and slander attach to a girl who has been on the marriage market for too long. Wharton charts the course of Lily's life, providing, along the way, a wider picture of a society in transition, a rapidly changing New York where the old certainties of manners, morals, and family have disappeared, and the individual has become an expendable commodity.
Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth explores the challenges faced by women in a male-dominated society. The protagonist, Lily Bart, struggles to maintain her social status and independence, highlighting the limited options available to women during this time period.
In The House of Mirth, social status is everything. The characters are constantly trying to climb the social ladder, often at the expense of their personal happiness. This book encourages us to question the value we place on social status and the sacrifices we're willing to make for it.
Wharton's novel is a stark reminder of the dangers of materialism. Lily Bart's obsession with wealth and luxury leads to her downfall, showing us that material possessions can't bring true happiness or fulfillment.
The House of Mirth is a powerful exploration of the impact of our choices. Lily Bart's life is shaped by the decisions she makes, both big and small. This book encourages us to think carefully about the choices we make and their potential consequences.
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of The House of Mirth is the tragedy of Lily Bart's unfulfilled potential. Despite her intelligence and charm, she is unable to escape her circumstances. This book encourages us to strive for personal growth and fulfillment, regardless of societal expectations.
Quotes 4
The House of Mirth is a work of art that is as brilliant as a diamond, with a cutting edge that is as sharp as a razor blade.
Henry James - American-British authorEdith Wharton's The House of Mirth is a novel that is as powerful as a thunderstorm and as illuminating as a lightning bolt.
Virginia Woolf - Modernist writerThe House of Mirth is a novel that is as intoxicating as the finest champagne and as devastating as a hurricane.
F. Scott Fitzgerald - Jazz Age novelistThe House of Mirth is a novel that is as elegant as a ballroom dance and as tragic as a Shakespearean play.
Evelyn Waugh - English writer
