The conversations between Lily and Selden provide the tone and relationship between them. When you first read their conversations among one another you think they have a strong bond and are fairly close. They appear to have some of the same views of certain things but not everything. The two of them can talk about anything with one another and you can sense how comfortable they both seem to be. However, at the beginning of the novel when Lily is leaving Seldens place, Simon Rosedale catches her but she lies to as of why she is there. To me, this said that she was hiding the friendship between Selden. She didnt want to be accused of anything because she believes it will affect her status in society.
In later conversations, the true feelings between Lily and Selden start to show. Lily is one who tries to cover up her feeling and pushes into her brain that she doesnt love Selden mainly to keep her position in society. Lily didnt have the luxury of being brought up with money; so her main goal in life was to marry into the wealthy world. Selden wasnt a man of money. He was brought up learning to enjoy life and what he does have. He believes happiness with the one person you love is more important and treasurable than any amount of money in the world. Lily doesnt seem to be involved in a relationship for the love and feelings; shes in it for the money. Money is no reason to marry because you are not guaranteed happiness. Lily admits that her quest for better social status will not necessarily bring her true happiness.
Throughout the novel it appeared to me that Selden was making trips and appearances just to see Lily. Lily would cancel her plans and take walks with Selden where they would talk about their lives and also share some of their philosophies on money, success, and society. They even talk about how they will not marry one another. Lily realizes Selden is the better man but still will not marry him. The great irony of the novel is that Selden is the only man whom Lily really loves and respects. It is also ironic that even though Lily and Selden love one another, Lily feels that she cannot marry him because he does not have enough money.
I dont believe Lily is capable of marrying because she sets her standards too high. Nothing and no one is ever good enough, and she always finds a flaw. She tries too hard to have a high position in society. She ignores what provides her true happiness and focuses on the money and wealth. With her personality being so fake, I dont see how anyone could love her since they wouldnt know the real her, besides Selden. Selden, however, is capable of happiness. He focuses more on the important things that make a person happy. He tries hard in a few cases in the novel to earn Lilys heart but she refuses. Any person would be lucky enough to have the opportunity to love and share a life with Selden.
I believe the House of Mirth is more based on the portrait of the frivolous and corrupt social world of New York. When the city of New York is mentioned, what comes to mind are the big headed, nose stuck up in the air, and arrogant people who think their lives are so much better than any others. New York is an expensive city and in order to live a good, carefree life, you need to make money.
Many of those who walk the streets seem to have a carefree life no matter what their financial situation is like. That seems to be the type of atmosphere there. No one wants another to think that they have any problems in their personal lives. The type of stress put on people makes them think they can always to better and what they have is never enough.
This novel shows the hardships one has to go through in order to gain a place in society and be respected. Without money you do exist and do not obtain the privileges or treatments that the higher class has access to. This novel represents the story of a female who was not born into the wealth world and describes the journey in which she had to experience in order to get close to the high society. The biggest problem in marrying into this world of wealth is that you are not always guaranteed happiness. Lily knew that her life wouldnt be happy or fulfilled completely because the feelings and true emotions would be missing.
I dont believe this novel was based on Lilys personal tragedy. Yes, it described her life and the difficulties she faced, but I think it focused more on the life in New York city and what it took to survive there. Lily grew up not having a whole lot while her mother imposed on her how she needs to become wealthy to have anything in this world. Lilys death is tragic but I saw it coming. She passed up Selden several times and she learned that he was her once chance for true love. Instead, she got involved with men because of their wealth, and even got involved in things such as gambling.
I liked this novel because it portrayed a true image of what New York life is all about. It described the hardships and complicated times that a person can run into. It was difficult for one of a lower class to gain rank and become a somebody in society. If you didnt have wealth then you were overlooked. Going through the journey of marrying into wealth can put you though tough times and go through difficult measures. This was perceptually true in the older days since wealth was the only way to live a positive care free life. Nowa-days, you can live comfortable and be happy on a lower income. There are more of those out there who are not very wealthy, and more people can relate and judge one another about what you do and dont have. Money isnt what makes life and people should enjoy the joys of life rather than focus on where they stand in society.
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