The House of Mirth
Edith Wharton
As with most stories, Wharton introduces us to some of the characters who are bound to play different roles as the story continues. Miss Lily Bart is introduced to us in the eyes of Lawrence Selden, a long time acquaintance of Lily. We learn more of Lily's character traits through the conversation at Selden's home. Lily appears to be a character who impresses everyone with her beauty, despite her age. I found it to seem like Wharton expressed Lily as being relatively old through the diction she chose, though Lily was simply twenty-nine years of age. Now we she Lily and Selden remain forward and honest with each other throughout their conversations: maybe because they are simply good friends, but I feel something is bound to happen between the two characters. Though it is said by Lily, "' But I don't think you dislike me-and you can't possibly think I want to marry you'" (Wharton, 5). I feel Wharton expects the reader to think that Selden marrying Lily Bart is not a possible occurrence, which be a fabulous reason for that not to be true (but only time will tell).
Two other characters are introduced a little later in the story: Gryce and Rosedale. Now, Rosedale seems to be a wealthy man who only cares about money; therefore, he may play a role in causing Lily to solely have concern for wealth and social status. Gryce, on the other hand, is very shy man. Though Lily seems to believe that he would make a fine husband, he seems to be a character that overall change Lily's actions very little. Based on how the book begins talking about wealth and Lily being interested in marrying Gryce, I would bet that the book will lead to a story about Lily's search to win over Gryce and how it is living with the rich.
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