Throughout The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton leaves several parts open for reader’s imaginations to run wild with thought. In the end of her novel, there is no mistake on what caused Lily Bart’s death; an overdose of a sleeping drug. However, nearly 100 years after being published, readers who dip into the historical tragedy still find themselves debating if the overdose was intentional. An individual’s take on Wharton’s tragic ending is a product of their culture, upbringing, education, ethnicity and gender. As a young American college student considering the events throughout the reading, I believe Lily Bart did purposefully take her own life because no other option would have truly been acceptable. For the first time in her life, she
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He was a business man though, always putting his assets first and protecting them by ensuring his image remained stable. He did have an interest in Lilly. Maybe not a deep passion that is expected in American culture, but, part of his image lacked a wife. Early in the novel Simon proposed to Lily knowing that she was not truly interested in him but adds that he has the ability to settle her debts for the lavish lifestyle she enjoys. (175) She turns down this offer initially but she finally accepts it later in the book. This time Rosedale rejects her offer and explains that her image has been tarnished. He proposes using Bertha Dorset’s letters to regain her status among her class allowing him to reconsider. She refuses to partake in his suggestion again, turning down a marriage opportunity. Towards the end of the novel she decides to go along with this, but while en route to Bertha’s, changes her mind and visit’s …show more content…
For most, suicide is viewed a way of running from ones problems. Lilly at this point is now seeing it in a new light. For her, it is a decision that is not influenced by others nor is anyone able to control or prevent it. She feels that she isn’t running away from something, in that all of her debt will be paid in full, she has given back and seen the positive impact on another life from her efforts, and that she owes nothing to anyone but herself. She is now running towards something she desires, resolution and permanence. It allows us to entertain a thought that questions the backbone of our own upbringing; “which direction would I have
He was a business man though, always putting his assets first and protecting them by ensuring his image remained stable. He did have an interest in Lilly. Maybe not a deep passion that is expected in American culture, but, part of his image lacked a wife. Early in the novel Simon proposed to Lily knowing that she was not truly interested in him but adds that he has the ability to settle her debts for the lavish lifestyle she enjoys. (175) She turns down this offer initially but she finally accepts it later in the book. This time Rosedale rejects her offer and explains that her image has been tarnished. He proposes using Bertha Dorset’s letters to regain her status among her class allowing him to reconsider. She refuses to partake in his suggestion again, turning down a marriage opportunity. Towards the end of the novel she decides to go along with this, but while en route to Bertha’s, changes her mind and visit’s …show more content…
For most, suicide is viewed a way of running from ones problems. Lilly at this point is now seeing it in a new light. For her, it is a decision that is not influenced by others nor is anyone able to control or prevent it. She feels that she isn’t running away from something, in that all of her debt will be paid in full, she has given back and seen the positive impact on another life from her efforts, and that she owes nothing to anyone but herself. She is now running towards something she desires, resolution and permanence. It allows us to entertain a thought that questions the backbone of our own upbringing; “which direction would I have