"The House of Mirth" is a tragic novel by Edith Wharton published in the early 1900s.
Set in New York
society during the first years of the 20th century, it tells of the disastrous and unfortunate social career of Lily Bart, a penniless orphan. Her
rich aunt takes and supports her. Being related to some of the prominent families in the city, she takes in her way of life comfortably.
But now Lily is 29. She must secure herself by marrying a rich
husband, in
order to ensure herself in the well-off society scenario. She nearly captures the heart of Percy Gryce, a pious heir to a large fortune, but loses him when she spends a Sunday with Lawrence Selden rather than go to church with Percy.
Lily is attracted to Selden, but does not think of him as a potential husband. He is not sufficiently rich, and has to earn his living as a lawyer. She also rejects Simon Rosedale, who is rich enough but not yet solidly accepted by the high-society. When Lily is unjustly accused of having an affair with another woman's husband, society ostracizes her, including her aunt who disinherits her. She loses all her chances of finding a husband and in utter ruin. In order to survive she becomes a milliner. Out of hopelessness, Lily Bart takes a sedative overdoes and dies. A tragic ending.
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