Modern Day Trifles

A classic novel contains timeless themes and ideas that resonate with audiences from many different generations and backgrounds. Edith Wharton’s tale of an upper class female outcasted from society conveys themes and events that even a person living in 2018 can relate to and formulate a perspective on. Edith Wharton herself embodies progress in society seeing as she is the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize. She represents progress for women and it shines through in her characters such as Lily Bart in House of Mirth. Lily Bart is ahead of her time as a character. She is not interested in settling down with a man for purley social advancement. She understands the unprincipled society she was born into and attempts to not fall into their poisonous games. Lily Bart’s failure …show more content…
Lily struggles with not blaming her disfortune on herself and asking others for help. Modern day, many people are so independent that they have trouble seeking out help. Although the social scene in House of Mirth doesn’t look very similar to the 21st century, the situations that Lily Bart is put through in her social circle look very similar to those today. One of the reasons for Lily’s downfall are the gossip and rumors surrounding her. Similarly, rumors are often untrue and taken out of context in today’s world and just like in House of Mirth, people will often let their bias fuel these rumors and not allow their victim speak the truth. Conformity is a main theme throughout the novel and Lily’s non-conformity can be seen as causing her downfall. As long as society exists, people will struggle with individuality versus conformity. It is often easiest to conform and being an individual and breaking free from society can cause one to be outcasted. Being outcasted is a fear for a Lily Bart and also a fear for many people modern day. Furthermore, Edith Wharton seeks to ask a vital question to her