The House of Mirth: Blog 9
Edith Wharton

     As I begin Book two of The House of Mirth, the setting changes to being in Europe while Lily joins the Dorsets on a cruise around the Mediterranean. I think this is the same cruise Selden is on, or they simply happen to run into each other at some point on their travels. This isn't really clear to me.
     It is apparent from the beginning of the second book that infidelity will continue to be a prominent theme. I quickly learned that the only reason Bertha invited Lily on the cruise is so Lily would distract Bertha's husband, George, from Bertha having an affair with Ned Silverton. I know that sounds ridiculously confusing, but that also seems to be a recurring theme throughout the novel.
     The infidelity and lies infuriates me. I don't understand why Bertha would basically encourage an affair between Lily and George so she could have an affair. If she knows they are both having affairs, why doesn't she simply get a divorce? I know this is the early 1900's and divorces were looked down upon much more than they are now, but everyone's behavior right now in the novel is absolutely ridiculous.
    Well, George realizes that and decides to go to Selden to get a divorce. Lily opposes this at first, but all of the sudden she is ok with it. I didn't really understand why she had such a quick change of heart.
     Bertha, who I am really beginning to loathe, seems to have started rumors that Lily and George are having an affair. This seems like yet another absurd move on her part. I know I wouldn't want people thinking my husband were having an affair. Obviously it looks bad on his part, but I think it reflects poorly on her as well.
     As I've made obvious throughout multiple blogs, I really loathe infidelity. Because of this, I absolutely can not stand Bertha's character. While I realize she is not the only one committing this sin, she seems to me to be the trickiest and sliest in her ways. I hope she gets caught cheating before the rumors spread of George and Lily being together.