The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
Analysis over Book 2 chapters 10-12
"To what other end does nature round the rose-leaf and paint the humming-bird's breast?"(Wharton, 245). In an attempt to discumber Lily's complex life, this analogy is used to construe the upbringing that has guided Lily to her downfall. Similar to natures inherited tendencies, Lily is a product of wealth and luxury that has innately ran through her veins. In her despair, Lily realizes she is incapable of alternating her life and unable to be anyone other than a rich elite. A world of abundance and bliss appears to be the only way for Lily to experience life, and if not possible, there is in fact no life at all. From the moment Lily was banished from the social world, she has become a continuous onlooker, awaiting her opportunity to sneak back in. In an attempt to return to her natural wealthy state, Lily has partaken in low class social events, different jobs, and experienced her fair share of scandals, but nothing has led back on top. Lily thinks to herself,"And was if her fault that the purely decorative mission is less easily and harmoniously fulfilled among social beings than in the world of nature?"(Wharton, 245). Unlike nature, the social elite must fight to remain on their continuous cycle of leisure and delight. Although it may be in the blood of the rich to remain wealthy, it by no means is a guaranteed they will forever be an element of the cycle.
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