This section of Edith Wharton’s House of Mirth includes one of the most
important conflicts in the entire book. Lily received a letter from Judy Trenor
telling her to meet at their house late at night, but she had no idea what
would be waiting for her when she got there. Only Gus Trenor was waiting for
her when she arrived because he purposefully did not inform her that Judy was
unable to make it. The interaction between Lily and Gus left Lily a wreck. They
had bickered over their current situation: he had invested money for her and
expected things of her in return for the favor. He frightened her more than she
allowed him to see, and he had tried to take advantage of her in this weak
state. Thankfully, Lily got out unscathed physically; however, she was broken
emotionally. The only place she could think to run to is Gerty Farish. Then, we
see Wharton use a bit of irony here because although Lily sees Gerty as her
best friend, Gerty cannot stand the thought of Lily, especially after realizing
Seldon’s feelings for Lily and not her.
Wharton has done a marvelous job in
this section of the novel using many literary techniques to add to the conflict
brought about. Her irony, diction, and imagery greatly help to create the
dramatic scen she was looking for. For example, Wharton writes, “His first rush
of inarticulate resentment had been followed by a steadiness and concentration
of tone more disconcerting to Lily than the excitement preceding it” (Wharton
117). This is an instance where Wharton’s diction and imagery add to the
suspense and drama of one of the most important scenes in the novel up to this
point.
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