Societal Pressures and "The House of Mirth"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the societal pressures that are presented and discussed in Edith Wharton's novel, "The House of Mirth". It explains the role of the main character, Lily Bart and how she had the responsibility of learning to function as a member of her class. It also points out that Edith Wharton was able to turn away from the strictures of her youth as she grew older but the character of Lily Bart could not. The paper compares Lily's choices to the choices of the modern woman.

Table of Contents:
Social Pressures
Pressure to Marry
Modern Women's Choices
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Lily Bart was a product of her times. She was raised in a family with good social connections, but with little money. When left on her own, Lily had no way to support herself. She became not only a product of her times, but also a victim of them, as she tried to find her way to getting a husband. Her failure to do so, as well as her death, were both the result of her primary failure in making the correct decisions. Neither of these failures were truly her fault; society had not taught her how to weigh the options that were open to her to make the correct decisions."
"Today, Lily Bart would have more options open to her. She would have access to social services programs. She would also have the ability to work and to think for herself. Living when she did, however, it was almost inevitable that Lily Bart would die as she did: alone, poor, and with hope being only an elusive dream."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Wharton, Edith. The House of Mirth. Anna Quindlen, ed. New York: Signet Classic-Penguin, 2000.

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• Book Review # 122433 : "Lily Bart in "The House of Mirth"

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