Blog #2

The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
Analysis over chapter 3

In chapter three of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, readers are introduced to Mrs.Bart and Mr.Bart. Being members of high class society, the Bart family, especially Mrs.Bart, found great importance in withholding the expectation of the upper class. As a young girl, Lily was warned by her mother of the dullness and dinginess that came with poverty. When Lily's fathers lost his wealth and became ill, it was imposed on Lily's mind that marrying rich would be the only way to avert the forbidden life of poverty. Although Lily was only a young girl when this event occurred, it is clear she still holds these ideas close. Instead of searching for a man she actually loves, Lily is willing to settle for wealth. It appears in many ways she wishes to escape the rules and standards of the upper class, yet is too apprehensive to leave behind the wealthy lifestyle. Reminiscing on her youth, Lilly is reminded of her mothers philosophy,"What was the use of living if one had to live like a pig?"(Wharton,26). To Lily, there is no other way to live other than to live wealthy. Due to her mothers persistence and display of repulsion toward the poor, Lily will now never lower her high standards for life.
Along with Lily's mother, Mrs.Peniston played an important role in the development of Lily Bart. Much more passive and frugal than Lily's mothers, Mrs.Peniston exploited the motion of saving ones resources and living rather docile. Although this form of living didn't alter the mindset Lily had learned from her mother, I feel that Lily unknowingly has acquired some of Mrs.Peniston's habits. It appears that during her upbringing though, Lily feels an error had occurred. I think she feels that something went wrong or she would be married by now... I'm interested in seeing if this idea could be plausible.