Mirth Book 2 Parts XI and XII

So, as the Real Housewives of the 1890's draws to a close (oh, sorry I mean The House of  Mirth), Lily Bart is falling apart all the while maintaining her composure until her visit with Selden. Rosedale is appalled to see Lily live like she is in his saying, "'The idea of your having to work - it's preposterous (242).'" For a girl who always had a plan, Lily seems like she has no idea what she is going to do. Lily's life is the exact opposite of what she planned it to be. However, it appears that her character and morals have changed. As opposed to the beginning of the novel when Lily wrecklessly played bridge and borrowed money, she now denies a loan from Rosedale because she has learned she is incapable of managing her debts. Also, her priority has become repaying her debt to Trenor.

I still hold to my theory that the story will end with Lily's death, especially now after her visit with Selden. Lily has essentially settled her situation with Selden. By burning the letters, Lily let go of everything she held against Selden. This supports my thinking that she will die because now she can die at the end of the novel and the readers will not feel completely terrible because she never apologized to Selden. I find it interesting that the first book was about Lily's rise to popularity; now, the second book is about her fall from popularity and to what I believe will ultimately be her death.

The House of Mirth: The End!

Well, I am glad I finally finished Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth. With the closing chapters of the story, I realized that Lily Bart is a tragic character. Haunted every night by her desire for a wealthy life and all her problems produced by her pursuits, Lily's death came from this tragic flaw of not being satisfied because it led to her excessive use of chloral (I totally called it). Additionally, her death is all the more tragic because on the night of her death she had finally accepted that all that she needed to be happy was love. To make it all the more sad, both Lily and Selden wanted to see the other in the morning.

In the final paragraphs, I believe that Selden is at peace with Lily's death. He has a profound thought, "He saw that all the conditions of life had conspired to keep them apart...(267)." He looks at the positive in that he had loved her, and at least that was good. I do not think he regrets much, except for his fleeing from her after that night at Bellomont. At least Selden had been bold in professing his love to a woman who he knew had never thought of marrying him beforehand. It is interesting to think of how Lily never got what she wanted until she died.

Mirth Book 2 Parts IX and X

Lily Bart from The House of Mirth is becoming much more troubled now that she has stooped to the working class. The relationship between herself and Selden is oddly hostile, and for some reason Selden acts like he never left her alone when he took off for Europe. Plus, Lily acts affectionately with Rosedale. This has become a complete flip from the beginning of the story where Lily would've much rather been with Selden than Rosedale. Lily's character has definitely changed. Physically, she appears to be the same because even at this point in the story Rosedale admires her beauty: " ...Rosedale was seized afresh by the poignant surprise of her beauty (235)." However, Lily is emotionally distressed with her situation of going from a life of luxury to the life of a peasant. 

I think I know how this novel will end. Lily's conversation with the chemist I think is hinting at how the novel will end with Lily overdosing on the sleep medication and dying. I am still unsure whether it will be because she is so troubled about her situation, or it happens as an accident due to her sleeping difficulties. Nonetheless, I would rather just get to the end of this book.

Mirth Book 2 Parts VII and VIII

I guess nothing every goes according to plan for Lily. When she thinks the only solution to her situation is to marry Rosedale, it turns out Rosedale does not want to marry her anymore because of her reputation. Despite the essential cruelty of his response, I am actually starting to like Rosedale. He has a very interesting talent for using his knowledge, and I thought it was a very interesting for him to suggest using the letters against Bertha. However, I do know that Rosedale will not help Lily with something unless he knew there was some sort of profit in it for him. Even though Lily dismissed Rosedale's idea, I think these letters will come into play before this story ends.

Now, there's the other problem, Selden. Gerty encourages him to pursue Lily again which of course intrigues me because I am guessing Gerty is no longer jealous of Lily. Gerty said to Selden, "'...it seems to me that if someone could reach out a hand and show her the other side-show her how much is left in life and in herself-(219).'" I thought there might still be some hope for Lily and Selden, but I guess not after Selden stormed home after discovering Lily moved. I do not know what that was all about. I honestly have no clue as to how this story will end, but I do believe that Lily is starting to let go of her ideals of a wealthy husband.

Mirth Book 2 Parts V and VI

With Grace's cold response at the end of part IV in The House of Mirth, we realize that it was her intention all along to earn Mrs. Peniston's favor over Lily. With her social life in trouble and her financial situation just as dire after being snubbed by Grace, Lily is in as much of a difficult situation as ever. Mrs. Fisher's kindness to Lily in helping her get her social life back shows that not all of her friends were influenced by Bertha Dorset's cold "sacrifice" of Lily. Mrs. Fisher intends to help rebuild Lily's social life as Wharton writes, "'To keep you out of their sight till they realise how much they miss you (191).'"

Fisher's interest in Lily leads to planting of the seed in Lily's mind about marrying Dorset or Rosedale. For some reason, Lily favors Rosedale. I do not understand this at all. I thought she liked Dorset's personality and he has money too, doesn't he? Plus, Dorset is crazy about Lily (well from what what I've read, it appears every man is crazy about Lily). Besides, Rosedale just comes off as repulsive. It appears Lily is adamant on marrying Rosedale despite every reason not to. I just hope I am not reading a 268 page book to find out that this woman chose money over love because that's just sad.

Mirth Book 2 Parts III and IV

Since the start of Book 2 in The House of Mirth, Selden has shown a much more indifferent feeling toward Lily. For example, Selden worries for her as a friend and not a possible lover such as when Wharton writes: "There was nothing specific in this apprehension; he merely wished to spare her the embarrassment of being ever so remotely connected with the public washing of the Dorset linen (169)." I do not understand Selden's reasons for this change in attitude toward  Lily. However, this seems to have repaired Gerty's friendship with Lily.

Can I say that I definitely called Mrs. Peniston dying? I was wrong about Lily's inheritance though. It seems that yet another quarrel has arisen between Lily and Grace Stepney. I think that Grace will become the new antagonist until Lily finds herself in another problem while resolving her current ones. Lily's obsession with money seems to lead her to an endless amount of problems. Yet, Lily can only attribute her obsession to her upbringing. Hopefully, this novel ends with her realization that her life is not about becoming wealthy so that she can finally marry for love which will hopefully be the often mistreated Selden.

The House of Mirth Book 2 Parts I and II

To France we go! Edith Wharton takes book 2 of The House of Mirth to the French Riviera. I seriously feel like Lily just can't find a way to stay out of trouble. This vacation to the Mediterranean seemed like a good way to take a step back from her problems, but now she's got another problem. It seems that Bertha Dorset will be the antagonist in the second half of this story. Bertha is crafty; I'll give her that. She diverts the attention away from her affair with Silverton to a bogus affair between Lily and George Dorset. I think Bertha is torn between keeping Lily on the boat and kicking her off because Lily serves her a great use by distracting George, who I think is actually falling in love with Lily, but Lily also is getting along better with the nobility such as Lord Hubert and the Duchess which makes Bertha jealous.

George desires a divorce, and he wants to bring Selden in to help him legalize it, "'Why not Selden? He's a lawyer, isn't he? One will do as well as anoother in a case like this (164).'" At this point, I am glad Selden will come back into the story because his character is more relatable than the others. Hopefully, Selden's reappearance will help solve some of Lily's problems and they will all live happily ever after...maybe.