The House of Mirth
Edith Wharton
The novel contains characters who tend to care a large majority on social class or status. A new social circle is introduced through the Gormers. This social circle overlaps with people in the Trenor and Dorset social circles, which allows Lily to feel at ease and believe she may be able to rectify her current situation by reacquainting herself with her friends.
Mrs. Dorset is still out to get Lily, and she tries to turn her new friends against her. Furthermore, one could accurately say that Bertha is the antagonist in the story. She is a static character; her personality has not changed at all throughout the story. The only way for Lily to succeed in the story is to find a way to overcome her obstacle, which is Bertha Dorset. She has options of doing so, such as marrying George Dorset, revealing he letters, or marrying someone else. The question is: which option will she choose?
Mrs. Fisher symbols a guide. She helps to reveal paths Lily can take.
Mr. Dorset seems to be a rather confused man. He says he wishes to leave his wife, but he has not; and if Lily did marry Dorset, there is no way Bertha would go down without a fight. The fact he is with her allows the chance for Lily to get burned even more by her ways. I think Dorset represents a temptation, a way to get back at Bertha in the most hurtful way. However, Lily does not seem to want to give into the temptation, as she says she cannot see him again. "'I'm sorry-but you know why I can't'" (Wharton, 200). Lily could not risk remaining George's friend without risking her dignity even more. She could not continue to allow Bertha to win.
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