The House of Mirth

Throughout House of Mirth we witness Lily’s many missed marriage opportunities. Lily greatly wishes to “marry up” to gain higher societal status and wealth and yet every time she has the chance to marry she ultimately chooses not to. Lily is a very complex character, at times she seems very smart and dynamic and at other points I find myself questioning the soundness of her actions. She is made out to be beautiful with the world at her feet; however, she is at the risk of losing everything if she does not get married. In the opening pages of Book II we find that Selden is attempting at all costs to avoid seeing Lily in Monte Carlo. Lily has been out sailing the Mediterranean with friends and is expected to return. Upon reading further we find that Bertha has only brought Lily out on the Yacht to “distract George” while she continues her affair with Ned.(185) I feel as though Lily’s complete willingness to have an affair with George shows her vulnerable nature. She is very self-conscious of her social standing, yet she is willing to risk her standing by having an affair with George. Throughout the book Lily does exhibit a manipulative nature; however, it seems as though she is also manipulated by various other characters. Lily can appear strong and self-motivated, but this strength seems only to exist within the bounds of her status as a women looking for marriage.