Introduction:
Set in the 1890's in New York City, Edith Wharton's novel, The House of Mirth demonstrates the characters', specifically the women's' desire to gain freedom, safety and independence in New York city where "the rich got much richer, and the poor got much poorer". As Wharton herself said "Decidedly, I’m a better landscape gardener than novelist," therefore using the imagery of houses to not only illustrate the themes of freedom, safety and independence, but also to give the reader a better understanding of the characters' personalities and feelings, which is why the question " How do the authors, Edith Wharton and Truman Capote, illustrate the themes of freedom, safety and independence through the imagery of houses in The House …show more content…
For example, both novels took place in New York City, though in different centuries; The House of Mirth took place in the 1890s, while Breakfast at Tiffany's took place in 1943. One of the very few things that Lily Bart's character has in common with Holly Golightly's character is their beauty and their desire to gain freedom, safety, and independence. Their differences are greater though, and deeper in meaning. One difference that may be noticed in the characters' personalities is how Lily Bart is seen as elegant and graceful, while Holly Golightly is wild and mysterious. The difference in setting affects both women's actions and personalities greatly, for during the century in which Breakfast at Tiffany's took place, woman's roles were changing greatly. "Golightly’s sexuality as portrayed through her clothing and demanding attitude towards men is her subtle way of fighting for gender equality which is significant because Golightly teaches that gaining attention is a way of receiving power." That explains why the rumors about Lily arose even though they weren't true, while no sense of shame was speculated towards Holly even though she was guilty of the rumors that spread about Lily. For during the time The House of Mirth took place, women's place in society wasn't very developed, as opposed to the
Set in the 1890's in New York City, Edith Wharton's novel, The House of Mirth demonstrates the characters', specifically the women's' desire to gain freedom, safety and independence in New York city where "the rich got much richer, and the poor got much poorer". As Wharton herself said "Decidedly, I’m a better landscape gardener than novelist," therefore using the imagery of houses to not only illustrate the themes of freedom, safety and independence, but also to give the reader a better understanding of the characters' personalities and feelings, which is why the question " How do the authors, Edith Wharton and Truman Capote, illustrate the themes of freedom, safety and independence through the imagery of houses in The House …show more content…
For example, both novels took place in New York City, though in different centuries; The House of Mirth took place in the 1890s, while Breakfast at Tiffany's took place in 1943. One of the very few things that Lily Bart's character has in common with Holly Golightly's character is their beauty and their desire to gain freedom, safety, and independence. Their differences are greater though, and deeper in meaning. One difference that may be noticed in the characters' personalities is how Lily Bart is seen as elegant and graceful, while Holly Golightly is wild and mysterious. The difference in setting affects both women's actions and personalities greatly, for during the century in which Breakfast at Tiffany's took place, woman's roles were changing greatly. "Golightly’s sexuality as portrayed through her clothing and demanding attitude towards men is her subtle way of fighting for gender equality which is significant because Golightly teaches that gaining attention is a way of receiving power." That explains why the rumors about Lily arose even though they weren't true, while no sense of shame was speculated towards Holly even though she was guilty of the rumors that spread about Lily. For during the time The House of Mirth took place, women's place in society wasn't very developed, as opposed to the