Blog #11

The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
Analysis over Book 2 chapters 1-3

The painful need to be apart, but the compelling force drawing them back together. That is the recurring theme found in the relationship between Lily and Selden. Selden deserts New York to do business in Europe, escaping all current disputes between him and Lily and leaving all questions unanswered. It's more than obvious that Selden has been in a state of denial for the past three months. He thought that pushing Lily to the back of his mind would ease, if any, pain Selden felt from his and Lily's relationship, but Selden realizes,"He suddenly felt the latent ache, and realised that after all he has not come off unhurt."(Wharton,150). Selden attempts to play the "I'm over her card", but it's clear as day that he still has feeling for her. As fate would have it, Lily ends up in Monte Carlo, exactly where Selden is. Selden's first reaction is to flee, but as fate would have it once again, Lily and a group of others are heading to Nice, just like Selden. It's almost comical how impossible it is for these two to not run into each other. Once again, Selden is caught in denial when he thinks."Yes, she was matchless- it was the one word for her; and he could give his admiration the freer play because so little personal feeling remained."(Wharton, 174). Selden is swimming in personal feelings towards Lily! When the Dorset's are facing marital problems, Selden advisers Lily to get out now in order to protect herself, and when Bertha Dorset kicks Lily out of the yacht, Selden is quick to make sure she has a place to stay for the night. He may not want to care for Lily, but the truth is that he does, unconditionally.