The House of Mirth Book 1 Parts I and II

In the opening scenes of Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth, I noticed the character of Ms. Lily Bart is quickly revealed and the problem is made evident. Lily Bart seems to have created her own problem in her head about how she needs a wealthy husband despite her lack of wealth. Although I understand that in this early twentieth century society a woman is expected to marry and be supported by her husband, Selden discusses his cousin who is a woman that lives independently in a flat, albeit in non-ideal conditions. Lily is in fact an intelligent woman though, and she is very observant. For example, her observation of Mr. Percy Gryce: "Something in his attitude of conscious absorption told her that he was aware of her presence: no one had ever been quite so engrossed in an evening paper! She guessed that he was too shy to come up to her..."   (Wharton 13). Lily utilizes her skill of observation to put herself in a situation with Mr. Gryce to begin an encounter. Lily even uses her intelligence in using the knowledge of Americana that she had recently learned from Selden. Lily's desire for a wealthy husband becomes even more evident with her encounter with Gryce. Mr. Percy Gryce is a shy, dull man with nothing interesting about him except for his book collection and his money. Lily even admits that Gryce lacks imagination. In the closing sentences of part II, Lily tells a woman that she does not smoke. This is probably done in an attempt to please Mr. Gryce whom she had observed did not smoke.