Blog 15- My overall opinion of the ENTIRE novel

The House Of Mirth by Edith Wharton, in my opinion, was a tough read. Perhaps, the barrier which kept me from thoroughly enjoying the novel was my inability to fully relate to any of the characters. Because of the importance of rank and wealth being focal points of twentieth century society, I find these things evident but not extremely important in my current life. Taking into account my young age, maybe the emphasis on wealth made by the novel will be easier to understand as I get older and money and income have a greater role in my life. Additionally, oftentimes, in the novel I became frustrated with the idea that most all the characters were trying to please others rather than themselves. As hard as it may be, I try to live for myself and not to please or impress others. I found that many people in the story, for example, Lily Bart, were obsessed with the idea of being rich like seemingly all the others. " 'Did you ever see such jewels? Do look at Mrs. George Dorset's pearls,' " (Wharton,107-108).. Lily I feel wastes her time comparing herself to others instead of bettering herself. Despite the negatives I found in the book, I did take away some valuable lessons. To name a few, realizing some things are not meant to be, people will accept money and deny they have a soul, and love waited out is a love potentially lost. Overall, I didn't love this book but I didn't hate it either.

Blog 14- Detailed response to a specific line and comparison to another work:quotes

In the final chapter of The House Of Mirth by Edith Wharton, the novel comes to a close with exciting events and truths unraveling. I believe this to be the part of the novel where Selden's love for Miss Lily Bart is publicly expressed and understood. He understands the situations which made loving her so difficult and comes to terms with the fact that they never could truly be each other's. A quote mentioned in the novel sparked many related quotes. "He saw that all the conditions of life had conspired to keep them apart," "But at least he had loved her," (Wharton,267-268).. I thought this to go along the same line as the phrase, "Better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all." The idea is that, painful as it may be, having the experience and joys that love can bring is more fulfilling than to have never shared in that experience. Selden had loved Lily Bart, and that in itself is important. The idea of life conspiring to make their love not work out reminded me of a quote from the book Criss Cross. "Hector did look at Debbie, and he saw her, really saw her for a moment. Debbie looked at Hector and she saw him, really saw him, for a moment. If it had been the same moment something might have happened. But their moments were separated by about a second. Their paths crossed, but they missed each other." Sometimes, what can be is not destined to be. Just as Debbie and Hector's almost love, Selden and Lily's almost love wasn't fated and therefore, they missed each other.

Blog 13- Detailed response to a specific scene and my opinion

In The House Of Mirth by Edith Wharton, Miss Lily Bart makes the unwise decision to overdose on chloral, thus, ending her life. I noticed prior some signs of her downward spiral. Though, Lily's death doesn't take place until the final pages of the book, earlier her lonliness and worrries consumed her every thought. "...she discovered and increasing sense of lonliness, " (Wharton,238).. Miss Lily Bart's lonliness is a reoccuring pattern which, to her, only chloral can subdue. "The thought of the chloral was the only spot of light in the dark prospect: she could feel its lulling influence stealing over her already," (Wharton,253). This feeling of Miss Bart's foreshadows the medication permanetly stealing over her, which is her death. Lily Bart always came across to me as a weak character but her death, brought on by herself, was unexpected even given the possible signs of suicidal thinking. Although, Lily never thought the increased dosage would hurt her, I believe the taking of her life to be unevitable. Lily seemed to be heading towards the direction of dreading her existence.

Blog 12- Discussion of the role played by a minor character

As Miss Lily Bart in The House Of Mirth by Edith Wharton escalades into deep depression and loneliness, caused by poverty and sleepless nights, she finds hope in Nettie Struther. I believe Nettie, being such a minor character in the story, and not having been introduced until chapter 13, was placed with much purpose. Ironic and hopeful I find it that, just as Miss Bart was in her lowest state, Mrs. Struther symbolizes strength in adversity, rising above her hardships. To show, "But Nettie Struther's frail envelope was now alive with hope and energy:whatever fate the future reserved for her, she would not be cast into the refuse-heap without a struggle," (Wharton,254). Nettie's role is to pose as the strength in which Lily cannot find in herself. Mrs. Struther's entrance into the novel couldn't have been timed more perfectly. I believe Nettie's admiration for Lily shows her there are still people who believe in her. Nettie coaxes Miss Bart to be happier with herself. Nettie even says about her child, " 'Wouldn't it be too lovely for anything if she could grow up to be just like you,' " (Wharton,257)? Its funny and relieving that there is someone who thinks the world of Miss Bart. Lily has been saddened lately by her apparently burdensome ways and hopefully is relieved to know not everyone has closed their door on her.

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.

Blog 10- Opinion of the work with related quote

Upon reading chapter 7 book II of The House Of Mirth by Edith Wharton, I applauded Lily Bart for her willingness to commit to a relationship and accept and share her feelings with Sim Rosedale. Prior, Lily, to me, came across as a reckless and prideful woman, adorned for her beauty and sought after for her affection. However, she seemed too picky to settle for whoever comes her way. " 'And I am ready to marry you whenever you wish,' "(Wharton,205). This shows Lily's transition into a more confident and sure individual when making decisions. Lily proves she is finally ready to make the step towards a binding union with Rosedale and accept his longtime love for her. Unfortunately by the time Lily is ready to fess up her feelings, Rosedale doesn't agree to matrimony due to Lily's current social image. I believe Mr. Rosedale's denial to Lily's request to be a wake up call that the world is not always on her clock. Miss Lily Bart for the first time doesn't get what she wants. Lily must learn that, like Pubilius Syrus said, "A good reputation is more valuable than money." Ms. Bart was narrowly focused on acquiring a sum and did thus by gambling and borrowing, thus, ruining her reputation. Sim Rosedale does not seem to want to carry the weight of Lily's mistakes on his shoulders by being engaged to her. Good luck to Miss Lily Bart on finding someone who won't judge her past wrongdoings.

Blog 9-Comparison to another work: film

In chapter 4 book II of The House Of Mirth by Edith Wharton, Lily receives the bad end of the straw for her aunt's will. Feeling forgotten and unappreciated, Miss Lily Bart turns to the only one who won't turn away from her, Miss Gerty Farish. "...She found herself utterly alone except for Gerty Farsh,"(Wharton,183). Ironic that the one person who still accepts Lily Bart into her home and serves her every need, is the one who Lily unknowingly hurt by her betrayal with Selden. In my opinion, Gerty has been hurt the most throughout the story, being put on the backdrop of all things and watching her lover (Selden) fall in love with her best friend (Lily). Overall, Lily Bart and Miss Gerty Farish's friendship has stuck out to me most in the novel. While Lily's "friends" have been ones only at times for personal gain, Gerty has expected nothing in return for her hospitality. A friends betrayal reminded me of many other movies such as Goodfellas. This movie centers around a man, Henry Hill, who turns over evidence against his friend for his advantage of getting out of jail. I believe this scenario of a friend's betrayal, such as the one in the novel, can be related to many similar situations.