Abstract This paper looks at the life of novelist Edith Wharton. The author discusses her upper class status in New York, her lavish and privileged upbringing, and her decision to write about the old monied society life in the American Victorian Era, and her staunch feminist beliefs. The paper argues that Ms. Wharton's main protagonist in "House of Mirth", Lily Bart, is in fact, a mirror image of the author, and Lily's experiences, very much her own.
From the Paper "Wharton and the character Lily were also very indicative of New York society, and very much products of their time. Regardless of their success or failure as feminist models or members of that society, both women may be seen as decent metaphors for the development of New York's uppercrust high society during the Gilded Age. First off, the struggle that both women were involved in regarding the encroachment of the "new money" on the domains of the "old blood" was very typical of society at large during this time period. There remained a narrow group of millionaires that had dominated New York since the days of the Dutch, and it was from this pool that Lily and Edith both sprung. This group had married almost exclusively within itself for decades, and the idea of widening its boundaries to include other families had to be difficult. However, the entire basis of this groups status was based on their wealth, and when their wealth was dwarfed by that of the new industrial giants, it threw a monkeywrench, so to speak, into the machinery of their lives. The question for both Lily and Edith, as for all of New York's very rich, was basic in nature: is marriage about breeding or money?"
Abstract This paper examines how although Edith Wharton chooses a female protagonist and presents issues sympathetic to the unique vulnerabilities of women, "The House of Mirth" applies itself far better as a social commentary than as a feminist manifesto. In particular, it looks at how while the society within the novel- that of New York during the Gilded Age- victimizes Lily Bart and drives her to her death, it does not discriminate by gender as to who bears responsibility. It discusses how Wharton shows us, through Lily's carefully constructed relationships with men; her vacant, unsatisfying relationships with women and also through her dramatic death scene a neutral, unmotivated narration that bears no resemblance whatsoever to feminist propaganda.
From the Paper "Given their nearly voluntary impotence, Lily's destruction occurs without any intervention from her female peers. Only Gerty Farish and Carry Fisher, in fact, display any empathy, and society would hardly have considered them peers of Lily at the opening of the novel. According to Elizabeth Ammons, the system is designed to keep women in divisive and relentless competition for the money and favor controlled by the men. Forbidden to aggress on each other directly or on men at all, women prey on each other- stealing reputation, opportunities, male admirers- all to parlay or retain status (1). In The House of Mirth, this system succeeds. The women Lily once interacted with now prey upon her, and the language used in such situations reflects this."
Abstract This essay deals with the character Lily Bart in "The House of Mirth" by novelist Edith Wharton. One critic has argued that Lily Bart ?has an unstable and insecure sense of her own identity and a compulsive need to find some "mirror" in which an acceptable "self" will be reassuringly reflected back.? This essay analyzes to what measure this statement is true.
From the Paper "A third factor to influence Lily's self is the fact that she is or becomes what others perceive or want her to be. She adapts to people, she does whatever is requested of her. When her friend Judy wants Lily to help with "tiresome things" Lily does not give her true feelings but goes downstairs and helps, when Lily meets Percy she adjusts her personality to him, when Lily is accused by Bertha of having an affair with her husband she does not fight off the allegations. It is at times as if Lily has no real opinion on anything, as if she does not really want to fight for herself. Lily speaks a lot ? but she never really says what she means."
Abstract This essay is a comprehensive look at Edith Wharton's first successful novel, "House of Mirth". It. argues that the novel is less about the disparity in social class than it is about the juxtaposition between structure/predeterminism and free will. It includes several character analyses of the major players, including Lily Bart and Lawrence Selden, and cites several critical texts in an attempt to further argue its thesis.
From the Paper "One of the main problems with Lily's personality is that her desire to join the ranks of the elite society is at odds with her desire to escape the boredom of it. In the second chapter of the novel, she reflects on her lies to Mr. Rosedale, thinking, 'Why must a girl pay so dearly for her least escape from routine? Why could one never do a natural thing without having to screen it behind a structure of artifice?' This epigram fully illustrates the paradox of Lily's existence. She is almost fully committed at the outset of the novel to marriage to a wealthy socialite, even if she doesn?t love him. But always there is some part of her that yearns for the freedom to make her own decisions without being judged for it. The irony is that while Lily knows she would pay dearly for her little deviations from the elitist norm, she really has no idea how much she will pay in the end."
The paper discusses the destructive nature of unrestrained ambition as highlighted by the character of Lily Bart in Edith Wharton's novel ?The House of Mirth".
Abstract The author demonstrates that the novel, ?The House of Mirth", revolves around a young beautiful woman (Lily Bart) who aspires to join the upper class and in her quest for success ruins her own life. The paper studies the many faces of Lily's ambition and shows why it turned into a negative force for the protagonist. The author feels that Edith Wharton's strength was exposing readers to both sides of ambition.
From the Paper "She was proud of the fact that unlike other women, she did not think that marriage was the solution to all her problems. She did not want to be an ordinary woman and thus marriage for its own sake was not important to her. In Book I, we see the rebellious side of Lily's personality. It is here that we learn of some really important things about this character and her wild rather unrealistic ambitions. She harbors some foolish beliefs that make it impossible for her see beyond the obvious."
Abstract This paper discusses why the character Lily Bart from Wharton's "The House of Mirth", is a failure in the business world. He explaines that this is because she has been raised, as most women of the time were raised, as a wealthy pampered woman who has no understanding of the business world. The paper also presents the concepts of poverty and wealth as understood through the male characters. The author believes that the only skills that society teaches women is to look pretty and snag a man.
From the Paper "Selden's idea of success is similar to whatever Lily may think, "My idea of success, he said, is personal freedom ...Freedom from worries...from everything; from money, from poverty, from care and anxiety, from all the material accidents. To keep a kind of republic of the spirit,...that's what I call success". That idea of success is "rich" in one word. If you are rich enough to be free from worry about money, then you are successful in Selden's eyes and in society's eyes. If you are poor, you are clearly a failure, and it does not matter if you are happy or not, you are only successful if society says so. "
Abstract "The Last of the Just" by Andre Schwarz-Bart, focuses on an old Hebrew legend of a group of men destined by God to be the culmination of the hearts of all mankind. The account traces the existence of the 'Lamed-Vov' through the male offspring of the Levy family, beginning in the twelfth century - with each of the chosen living and dying their destined martyr's death. The paper shows how the book travels down in time through the successive generation to the generation of the Second World War, ending with the intimate and extensive life of Ernie a Jew, the Last of the Just, who lives through the ghetto and dies in the Auschwitz gas chambers. The paper discusses the author's ability to convey the emotions and feelings of anti-Semitism from each generation, culminating in the most horrific act of all, the Holocaust.
From the Paper "This document does better than almost no other I have read tracing the history of anti-Semitism through the past two thousand years. With the life and death of each Just Man lived a generation of sorrow and a multiplication of the suffering heart of all humanity. The special attention that Schwarz-Bart plays to the modern, and the repetitive cycle of horror makes clear that the message of this text is one of horror, hope and, of course, a warning. Schwarz-Bart has given a very personal narrative that brings to light the humanity of those Jews who have died in the last two thousand years for the simple reason of just being Jews."
Abstract The paper discusses Matt Groening's show, "The Simpsons', which offers a a comedic look into American suburban family life. The paper examines how the show satirizes American suburbia and American family life by revealing truths about how American families function. The paper further looks at how "The Simpsons" addresses issues related to gender roles in the family as well as how the family deals with crises, marriage childcare and housekeeping. The paper analyzes the main members of the family, namely Homer, Marge and Bart.
From the Paper "The Simpsons offers a comedic look into American suburban family life. Because they are depicted in an animated show the Simpsons can represent families of any ethnic, religious, or cultural background living in suburban USA. Moreover, the name of their hometown is Springfield, one of the most common city names in America. Therefore, Matt Groening satirizes American suburbia and American family life by revealing truths about how American families function. The writers and producers also elucidate issues related to gender roles in the family as well as how the family deals with crises, elder care, and child care."
Abstract This paper examines Wharton's presentation of the characters of Lily Bart and Gerty Farish in Wharton's "House of Mirth" in order to demonstrate why these women do not deserve lasting happiness. The emphasis of the discussion shall be on the lead character of Lily Bart.
Abstract 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."
Abstract This paper analyzes the animated series "The Simpsons" by Matt Groening. It shows that the characters depict the nuclear Western family and faces the same struggles and celebrates the same joys as everyone. The writer takes various episodes and explains how they prove the "normalness" of these yellow skinned characters.
From the paper:
The Simpsons first appeared on the Tracey Ullman Show in 1987. They were an animated family of crudely-drawn, yellow-skinned characters with no patience for quality time or touchy-feely moments"in fact, the father, Homer, tried to strangle his son, Bart, in almost every episode. The public responded so well to this dysfunctional family that in 1989, Fox Network offered Simpsons" creator Matt Groening his own show. In 1989, The Simpsons aired a half hour long Christmas special ("Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"). The Simpsons premiered as a weekly series in January, 1990 (Groening 14-18). The series is still running. Because the characters are animated, they have not aged."
Abstract This paper is analysis of Lily in Edith Wharton's "House of Mirth" about a woman's personal struggle to find her place in society. It discusses the portrayal of the main character, Lily Bart, an extremely conflicted individual who fluctuates between a deeply ingrained desire for material wealth (necessary to live a life of luxury in the upper class New York society) and a desire to transcend such superficiality and pursue a deeper, more meaningful existence. It examines how through most of the novel, Lily never seems to overcome her materialistic desire until the lowest point of her life. However, Lily's conflict resolves only to find the realization of loneliness and missed opportunities and all of these new fears lead her to seek death as the ultimate solution.
From the Paper "Despite the wish for material wealth, Lily also yearns for a deeper meaning of life, something greater than money. This other feeling first discloses itself in a conversation with Selden. Lily questions Selden for his idea of success, and he answers, "My idea of success is personal freedom"freedom from everything?from money, from poverty, from ease and anxiety, from all the material accidents.? Selden calls his notion of success a "republic of the spirit" (70). In defining his ideals, Selden points out to Lily what she needed is happiness. She has been searching for freedom from material wealth and personal satisfaction. Lily has passed up numerous chances to marry rich men, such as Percy Gryce and Simon Rosedale, because she not only wants financial security but also love and happiness to add value to her life."
Tags: material, wealth, upper, class, new, york, society, loneliness, death
Abstract This paper concerns instances of feminine stereotyping in "The Simpsons". It covers Marge, the dutiful wife; Patti and Selma, the spinster sisters; and Lisa, the overly moral daughter. Conclusions about each woman and her stereotypes are supported by several examples that have been drawn from episodes from several seasons. Quotes are plentiful. This paper supports the claim that "The Simpsons" provide likeable stereotypes that women can identify with.
From the Paper "?I need some liposuction, just enough to make me attractive to this man,? said Marge Simpson. ("Large Marge") This instance is just one of many in the long running animated series The Simpsons?, which showcases a particular stereotype of women. Although there are undoubtedly many women who share Marge's fears, most will not resort to such extreme measures as plastic surgery. So despite the fact that most women will probably not go the same route as Marge, they can and will empathize with her character. By providing a likeable stereotype with which women can identify with, The Simpsons? manages to entertain people and ease some of the painful memories women carry of times when they too have been pigeonholed into a particular role."
Abstract This paper tells the story of the controversy that surrounded the San Francisco Bay Area proposal to build a mass transit system aimed at connecting new suburbs to existing cities. The story is recounted from the beginning of the planning stage to the outcome of one community's fight against the transit authorities. The paper considers the effects that the unrest and political action happening across the United States had on the efforts to build the transit system, the effects of the dramatic suburbanization of the country, which resulted in a subsequent boom in the construction of transportation infrastructure, and the racial, economic, ethnic, and political issues that highlighted the controversy. Includes an analysis of the political climate at the time and the efforts of political groups, such as the Black Panthers.
From the Paper "Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is the primary public transportation system within the Bay Area. It connects residents in three separate counties and covers numerous different cities. However, a great deal of controversy surrounded BART during its creation and construction in the 1960?s. The most heated debate occurred in the neighborhood of West Oakland, one of Oakland's poorest minority communities. West Oakland residents complained of BART's intrusion in their neighborhood, from the intrusive system lines that divided the community to the numerous residents BART officials displaced and alienated. The battle that developed between BART officials and West Oakland residents was about more than BART's invasion of West Oakland; the debate encompassed many difficult issues facing the Bay Area, as well as the nation, at the time. This paper attempts to tell the story of this controversy, from the BART's beginnings to the outcome of West Oakland's fight against BART."
Abstract This paper summarizes the plots and analyzes the female characters in Edith Wharton's "The House of Mirth" and Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" in order to illustrate the themes that expound on the aspect of male hegemony and the discrimination that women had to suffer in a male-dominated society.
From the Paper "As in "Yellow Wallpaper", Society seems to have cast its influence on Lily and she looses her capacity for judgment. This is evident in that she is indecisive about her marriage. She is never contended with the good proposals that come her way and is always on the lookout for better offers. It is this kind of indecision that proves to be the undoing of Lily. The power that money enjoyed and the need to get absorbed into the higher ranks of the society had indeed blinded Lily. Lily is one of those typical women who entertains wrong notions that money and status alone could guarantee happiness. So we see that Lilly is psychologically defeated by society and her consideration of marriage as a springboard to success makes her vulnerable to the manipulations by wealthy guys. She asks Gus Ternor the husband of her friend Judy to invest some money for her in the stock market. Lilly gets the first blow of this opportunistic society when she is asked by Gus Ternor to pay him back by way of spending her time with him."
