The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
Analysis over chapters 12-13
An Illusion. That's all Lily's life really is. One big illusion fabricated from what Lily always thought to be acceptable and necessary. Found in a moment of despair, Lily realizes she truly doesn't have anyone or anything. All she posses are the fake relationships she has created for personal gain, which all appear to be crumbling to pieces. Eventually, her "friends" and "acquaintances" begin to become less patient with Lily's manipulative manners and she quickly drops down the social ladder. While attending a get together at Bellomont, Lily comes to realize,"That if the ladies at Bellomont permitted themselves to criticize her friends openly, it was a proof that they were not afraid of subjecting her to the same treatment behind her back."(Wharton,106). These people she is surrounding herself with are not afraid to voice their distaste on any out of line affair. Gossip is a fairly common activity practiced in this class and it travels quite quickly to top things off. Even Ms.Bart admits to being aware of her devious actions, but she is by no means remorseful enough to quit her ways. Lily is using Gus Trenor for money, maintaining a friendship with Mr.Rosedale's because of a secret, and making acquaintances with the Dorset's for "social sanction". She is living in a vicious circle of lies and illusions. All these relationship, all these people, they mean nothing. She has nothing. The only person who actually cares for her, Selden that is, she pushes away because he is not good enough! It's really hard to feel bad for her because all her problems are reactions of her own selfish ways.
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