September+10+-+Edith+Wharton,+The+House+of+Mirth

Do you think it's a good thing that Lily's aunt only left her 10 thousand dollars or do you feel sorry for Lily and think that she deserved the money?
 * T 9/10:** Edith Wharton, //The House of Mirth// (1905), Book II, chapter 1-4 (pages 159-202 in my edition)
 * →Response Pap**** ers: ** Group 3 (1/4)

Do you think it is truly possible to be selfless in this society? Can you always expect gratitude? (Lily thwarts her friends’ efforts to help her marry Percy Gryce; Bertha, “in the infatuation of self-destruction,” (183) thwarts Lily’s efforts to help her marriage spurring from George’s realization of Bertha’s infidelity.) In this expectance, is it really selfless? Do you think that someone who is so engrossed by the concept of status and social-climbing can ever be truly happy in a marriage, regardless of how perfect or imperfect it may be.

Throughout the novel, we’ve seen Lily use men, such as Trenor, but then we see Lily get used by Bertha Dorset, which ruins her social life. Why do you think that Lily avoids confrontation with Bertha and does not stand up for herself or speak the truth when Bertha says that Lily will not be returning to the ship?

We see that Lily's social status has become nonexistent. Do you think this will alter her character drastically as we close in on the end of the novel?

Within this society, do you think anyone can find happiness? Or say that they are satisfied with him or herself outside of the social status?