Blog 11- Analysis of Gerty Farish and Lawrence Selden's relationship

Selden and Miss Gerty Farish's cousinly relationship has been overshadowed by the dramas of Miss Lily Bart in The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. However, I noticed, signs of Gerty's love for Selden since she felt betrayed by Miss Bart's growing affection for him, and him for Miss Bart. Thus, I pity Gerty Farish and have since the beginning of the novel. For one, Miss Bart talks about being lonely, but I feel Gerty lies in the most solitude having no relationships but with those at her club. Gerty does have Lawrence Selden to talk to though, and in chapter 8, the two discuss Miss Lily Bart. Gerty, hiding secret affection for Selden, keeps it very low key by helping Lily and him sort out their problems and drawing them closer together. Miss Farish knows by doing so, she is pushing Selden farther from her reach and into the arms of someone else. Gerty's sacrifice is ultimate and shocking. Furthermore, I pity the fact that Gerty will probably never hear an apology or thanks for her goodwill and advice, considering both Lily and Selden remain clueless to Gerty's inward feelings. At least, Gerty Farish can hold onto the one moment of intimacy which she and Lawrence shared. "He laid his hand for a moment on hers, and there passed between them, on the current of the rare contact, one of those exchanges of meaning which fill the hidden reservoirs of affection,"(Wharton,219). This moment Miss Lily Bart cannot take away from Miss Gerty Farish.