The House of Mirth: Blog 13
Edith Wharton

     While reading The House of Mirth, I have noticed that while Lily tries to be independent, it is nearly impossible because of her financial state. However, reading chapter nine made me very proud of Lily. She has become an apprentice at a hat-making store. I love that she did this because, by learning a trade, she can eventually have a good enough income to pay off all of her debts and be completely independent. I feel this would make Lily happier, since she currently is worrying daily about her finances. I feel this would also take the pressure of getting married off of her. She won't need to marry solely to have more money.
     Something I have enjoyed thoroughly throughout the novel is Wharton's consistent use of imagery throughout the novel. I feel this helps the reader get a better visual of what is really happening. It also helps the reader to stay interested. Wharton describes Lily's dream of having her own hat boutique in the following passage.

 "And of course only the finishing touches would be expected of her: subordinate fingers, blunt, grey, needle-pricked fingers, would prepare the shapes and stitch the linings, while she presided over the charming little front shop- a shop all while panels, mirrors, and moss-green hangings- where her finished creations, hats, wreaths, aigrettes and the rest, perched on their stands like birds just poising for flight" (Wharton, 229-230).

   I absolutely love the way this is written. The imagery is so delicately laced throughout the passage so that the reader can perfectly imagine the adorable store front.  I love this aspect of Wharton's writing style.