The House of Mirth is one of Edith Wharton′s most famous and most discussed novels. The novel is the story of Lily Bart who is a product of the society of New York. This society is hypocritical and unkind to those who do not completely conform to their rules and expectations. In The House of Mirth Lily′s struggle with the New York society and her fall from this circle of people is traced.
Critics loved this book. E.E.Hale, JR., a contemporary critic, wrote in his review: "we should gloat over a book, be rapt clean out of ourselves, and rise from the perusal, our mind filled with the bussiest kaleidoscopic dance of images, incapable of sleep or of continuous thought. That is the exact description of a mental state that many will probably experience on reading The House of Mirth" (Ammons 1990: 309). The Saturday Review (a contemporary London paper) wrote in 1906 "It is the striking art of Miss Wharton as a writer that keeps the reader′s sympathy from first to last. She can evoke the emotions of pity, horror and love. In Lily Bart she has created a character that will haunt the imagination of the reader and live in his memory. The book is one of the few novels which can claim to rank as literature" (Ammons 1990: 313). Edith Wharton reflects in her fiction issues and arguments, such as criticism on conspicuous consumption in the leisure class, the economics of marriage for women and "the physical rigors and deprivations of working-class life for many Americans" (Ammons 1990: ix), broadly current in her culture.
The tension between the real and the ideal is expressed throughout the novel, and also from Wharton′s choice of title to her imagery and characterization. She selected the title for her book from the bible, 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" (Singley 1995: 70). Ecclesiastes is a skeptical and pessimistic text that had, at the turn of the century, a special relevance for a society engaged in material and spiritual debate. "Wharton′s use of this biblical text emphazises the tragedy of the novel: the human failure to distinguish the authentic from the inauthentic." (Singley 1995: 70).
Table of Contents
- I. Introduction
- II. Lily's Place in the New York Society
- III. Lily Bart and Lawrence Selden
- IV. Women in the Leisure Class
- V. Lily's Final Escape
- VI. Summary
Objectives and Key Themes
This work analyzes Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth, focusing on Lily Bart's struggles within New York high society. The objective is to explore the novel's critique of social structures and the challenges faced by women in the leisure class at the turn of the 20th century.
- Lily Bart's struggle for social and economic survival within a restrictive societal framework.
- The hypocrisy and superficiality of New York high society.
- The economic constraints and limited choices available to women in the leisure class.
- The tension between Lily's inner desires and the external pressures placed upon her.
- The exploration of authenticity versus inauthenticity within the context of societal expectations.
Chapter Summaries
I. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context for the analysis of Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth, highlighting its critical acclaim and thematic resonance. It introduces Lily Bart as a character shaped by and struggling against the constraints of New York high society. The chapter draws on contemporary critical reviews to demonstrate the novel's lasting impact and its exploration of issues like conspicuous consumption, the economics of marriage for women, and the hardships faced by the working class. The biblical allusion in the title, referencing Ecclesiastes, is presented as foreshadowing the novel's tragic themes and the central conflict between authenticity and societal expectations. The introduction sets the stage for an examination of Lily's societal navigation and ultimate downfall.
II. Lily's Place in the New York Society: This chapter delves into Lily Bart's upbringing and her position within New York's elite. Born into the upper class, Lily is conditioned from a young age to view marriage to a wealthy man as her sole purpose. Following her father's financial ruin, her mother emphasizes Lily's beauty as a means of survival, transforming her into a decorative object. At the novel's opening, Lily, now an orphan and twenty-nine, has failed to secure a financially advantageous marriage, not through lack of trying, but due to an inner conflict. Despite understanding marriage's material benefits, she lacks genuine interest in its power dynamics. Her reliance on wealthy friends for financial support and social standing fuels her discontent, and the chapter explores her awareness of her precarious position and the superficiality of her relationships. Lily's constant struggle to maintain appearances within this restrictive social circle is highlighted, illustrating the limitations imposed upon her by societal expectations.
Keywords
Edith Wharton, The House of Mirth, Lily Bart, New York high society, social class, gender roles, marriage, economic constraints, conspicuous consumption, authenticity, societal expectations, tragedy.
Edith Wharton's *The House of Mirth*: A Comprehensive FAQ
What is this document?
This is a preview of a comprehensive language analysis of Edith Wharton's novel, *The House of Mirth*. It provides a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords, offering a structured overview suitable for academic use.
What are the main themes explored in the analysis?
The analysis focuses on Lily Bart's struggles within New York high society at the turn of the 20th century. Key themes include Lily Bart's fight for social and economic survival, the hypocrisy and superficiality of high society, the limited choices for women in the leisure class, the conflict between Lily's desires and societal pressures, and the exploration of authenticity versus inauthenticity within societal expectations.
What is the objective of this analysis?
The objective is to explore *The House of Mirth*'s critique of social structures and the challenges faced by women in the leisure class. It examines how societal expectations and economic constraints shaped Lily Bart's life and ultimately led to her tragic downfall.
What are the key chapters covered in the summaries?
The summaries cover six chapters: an introduction setting the context and introducing Lily Bart; a chapter detailing Lily's place within New York high society and her struggles; and further chapters exploring the complexities of her relationships and her ultimate fate. The final chapter is a summary of the entire work.
What is the significance of the title, *The House of Mirth*?
The title, drawing from Ecclesiastes, foreshadows the novel's tragic themes and the central conflict between authenticity and societal expectations. It highlights the superficiality and ultimately empty nature of the pursuit of pleasure and social status within the novel's context.
What role does the concept of "conspicuous consumption" play in the novel?
Conspicuous consumption, the ostentatious display of wealth, is a significant factor in the novel. The analysis explores how this societal pressure impacts Lily Bart's choices and reinforces the economic constraints faced by women in the upper class who are dependent on marriage for financial security.
What are the key aspects of Lily Bart's character?
Lily Bart is presented as a complex character caught between her inner desires and the demands of New York high society. Her struggles highlight the limited choices available to women, the hypocrisy of the social elite, and the tension between personal authenticity and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. Her background and upbringing are explored to understand her place within this restrictive social environment.
What keywords are used to describe the analysis?
Keywords include Edith Wharton, *The House of Mirth*, Lily Bart, New York high society, social class, gender roles, marriage, economic constraints, conspicuous consumption, authenticity, societal expectations, and tragedy.
Who is the intended audience for this analysis?
This analysis is intended for academic use, providing a structured overview for those studying *The House of Mirth* and interested in exploring its social and literary themes.
- Quote paper
- Kati Bach (Author), 2000, 'The House of Mirth' - Lily's struggle with the New York Society, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/2702
