September+5+-+Edith+Wharton,+The+House+of+Mirth

- Jessica Diepholz: Lily Bart comes very close to burning the letters between Mrs. Dorset and Selden. Was that the right thing to do? Was she strong in keeping the letters or was keeping the letters a sign of weakness and immaturity? Is it possible that Lily will use the letters to blackmail either Dorset or Selden in the future? - Hana Floyd: Within the society Wharton described, women were given a value based on age, beauty, and reputation while men were given value based on wealth. How are men and women valued differently when it comes to marriage today? Because women today have more rights, responsibilities, and opportunities, how has that affected the expected gender roles?
 * Th 9/5:** Edith Wharton, //The House of Mirth// (1905), chapter 5-15 (page 45-158)
 * →Response Papers:** Group 1 (1/4)



-Tori Hewitt: Is Lily prepared to take her place in society? Does a member of heightened society truly have a heightened sense of morals? Does The House of Mirth elude to a society of haves and have nots?



Morgan Mildren: Is it possible for a woman to use beauty and touch as tools to manipulate men?



Sara Andersen: What compels Ms. Bart to be so close to her goals just to dodge and avoid them at the last minuet? Many suitors that would suport her lifestyle needs have presented themselves to her, why does she strive for a lifestyle and social relationships that bore her just to reject an offer when it comes along?

-Callie Friedman: Do you think Lily is making the right decisions regarding happiness and wealth, or do you think she would achieve greater happiness if her end goal did not include the object of money?
 * →Response Papers:** Group 2 (1/4)

- Erin Weinstock: Is it better to be satisfied, but remain within a status quo or go against what society expects of you and be happy?

-Xiaoli Chen: Is wealth really that important in one's life? Without wealth, would marriages be unhappy or unsatisfied?



Roxanne Eugene: **Does one have to consistently make sacrifices when it comes to obtaining riches but at the same time wanting to maintain happiness and freedom from work?**


 * - Jesse Mixson:** Why did Wharton draw such -- often strong -- distinctions between "good" and "happy," as well as between "moral" and "wealthy"? These distinctions are seen even today, so are they constants because of a specific society or of humanity in general?