The House of Mirth
Edith Wharton
As the novel continues, the reader learns of Lily's childhood and the problems that existed as she grew older. Lily grew up in wealth, naive of the value of money. Her father worked relentlessly to support the lavish taste of Mrs. Bart and Lily. When Lily was nineteen, she learned of the financial ruin her family faced. Her father could no longer support his family. Perhaps Lily was reluctant to marry during her early twenties because she feared that her marriage would face the financial difficulties of her parents marriage. Still, she clings to the hope of marrying wealth as she tries to win over Percy. Lily loves the idea of money to support her lifestyle, but she is reluctant to the idea of marriage. I think that she is trying to convince herself as much as she is trying to convince Percy that a marriage between them would be for the best. I think that Percy is coming around to the idea faster than Lily, who wants the marriage out of necessity to support her lifestyle rather than desire to be in a loving relationship. Lily views marriage as a path to a less financially stressed life. "She was almost sure she had 'landed' him: a few days' work and she would win her reward" (Wharton, 22). This is not the view of marriage as loving, but rather a ticket to an easier life. It is my hope that if Lily gets married she will learn to love her husband as much as she loves his money.
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