Blog 5-My own opinion of the work and comparison to a film

Miss Lily Bart in chapter 7 of The House Of Mirth by Edith Wharton, develops a manipulative relationship with Gus Trenor. Lily, overtaken with desires of wealth and riches and in the predicament of having only some nice things, goes in on a friendship with Mr. Trenor with his money as reward. From early on in the novel, Lily's characteristic qualities of greed, slyness, and self interest have escalated into a deal with Mr. Trenor with money as the motive. Gus Trenor seems willing to satisfy Miss Bart's desire for material objects as long as she can be a pretty face to hang around him. My feelings for this situation thus far is disgust for Lily's easy approach to Mr. Trenor's tremendous generosity. To prove Lily's self absorption, "strengthened her self confidence in the exact degree to which it effaced her debts," (Wharton,69). Gus likes having a sought-after and beautiful woman, just as Lily Bart enjoys the riches he is willing to present her. Seems to me both individuals need a reality check! Someones got their priorities mixed up!

The film Pretty Woman involves a similar scenario. Edward, a successful business man, hires a prostitute who he offers money to if she sticks around with him for some time. Vivian enjoys the rich and famous scene which Edward envelopes her in. Although in The House Of Mirth, Gus Trenor and Lily Bart haven't fell in love like Vivian and Edward, I find the characters and situations from both strikingly similar.