The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton Essay -- lily, society

Edith Whartons novel of manners The House of blessedness is a satirical delegacy of upper society. The personification of this satire is the character Lily Bart. The leader is led to guess that Lily is trapped by her upbringing in higher society, which is seen in Whartons use of portraying, imagery, and motifs by means ofout the novel. Whartons characterization of Lily Bart focuses on her stunner as the reason for her acceptance into high society. During the tableaux vivants at the Welly Brys, Lilys wide-eyed costume was the main focus of the men at the party This was the arena Lily lived in, these were the standards by which she was fated to be measured Does one go to Caliban for a judgement on Miranda? (130). Wharton notes through Seldens thoughts that Lilys only plate in high society is as a result from her beauty. The allusion to The tempest by Shakespeare only furthers this fact, as Wharton then implies that without her beauty, Lily would not have a place in high societ y. Whartons concept of fate associated with Lily furthers the caprice that Lily is trapped because of the predetermination of life and Lilys upbringing culminate into Whartons trapped character of Lily Bart. The next time that Selden sees Lily again, it is on the train to becoming when he comments on her beauty At the Brys, Lilys beauty had had a transparency through which the fluctuations of the spirit were sometimes visible now its impenetrable surface suggested a process of crystallization which had fused her whole being into one profound brilliant surface to Selden it seemed like that moment of pause and arrest when the heartily fluidity of youth is chilled into its final shape (182). Whartons indirect characterization of Lily through Selden s... ...it to honor because she still believes money and power. Wharton creates Lily with her character flaw of irresolution to lead her down her fated path she is trapped by her desire of association in society and longs for the fre edom that love would bring. Edith Wharton created The House of Mirth to mock the society that she lived in and gave Lily the negative traits associated with it. With these negative traits and Lilys upbringing, Wharton creates a character that is trapped by her upbringing desire to have a permanent place in society but also yearns for love, convey through Whartons characterization of Lily Bart, imagery associated with Lily, and the motif of Lilys pitch-dark flaw. The end result is Whartons fated demise of her heroine with neither love nor a position in society. Works CitedWharton, Edith. The House of Mirth. Toronto Bantam, 1986. Print.