The Rich Neglectant Idiots Edith Wharton Analysis

Edith Wharton uses Mrs. Manstey’s view to call the rich neglectant idiots while the poor pathetic losers.

Mrs. Manstey allows herself to lose everything she loves because of her poor financial state. When she feels herself about to lose another love of hers, a view into the boarding houses overgrown junky backyards, she decides to speak up. She takes a rare visit out to plead her case to Mrs. Black
I never had what I wanted… It was always one disappointment after another. For years I wanted to live in the country. I dreamed and dreamed about it; but we never could manage it. There was no sunny window in our house, and so all my plants died. My daughter married years ago and went away -- besides, she never cared for the same things. Then my husband died and I was left alone …show more content…
Mrs. Manstey just confessed to continuously letting what she loved flitter away. She said it herself, her life has been one disappointment after another. However she might have put more effort into fighting back had she had more money. Although her daughter moved to the other end of the country, Mrs. Manstey could still visit her. Yet the trip never happens due in large to Mrs.Manstey not feeling she has enough money to make the trip. So she stays separated from what seems to be her only living relative. Edith Wharton greatly loves plants and it shows in her characters so knowing that Mrs. Manstey’s plants all died is quite a significant fact. Had Mrs. Manstey had enough money to buy her dream country house she would have been able to grow as many plants as she wanted and fulfill her need, but instead she is left with a broken dream. She decides to settle for a view of untidy gardens three floors and a window pane away from