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| Nice, France |
As Book II of Edith Wharton’s
House of Mirth commences, as a reader,
we have to pick up quickly on the new setting. No longer in New York, most of
the “society” we have gotten to know in the first book are in Europe traveling
abroad. Opening the second book, it is mid- April now, and we know that the
majority of them are currently in Monte Carlo and Nice- including Seldon, Carry
Fisher, Mrs. Stepney, Mrs. Bry, Lily,
the Dorsets, and others. I personally found the change of scenery to be
awesome. All of the character are admiring the beauty of France and Monaco,
which I know myself to be true since I have been to Nice and driven through
Monaco. Both are so marvelously beautiful and having that experience myself
makes me all the more appreciative of the characters in the book and their
descriptions of the sights. Good diction and imagery by Wharton, paint beautiful pictures for all the readers. For example, Wharton describes, "Unclouded sunlight enveloped sea and shore in a bath of purest radiancy" (Wharton 157).
The characters, especially Lily and
Seldon, had had a more difficult few months back in New York with stresses
brought on by money problems, and other more emotional troubles. Unfortunately,
vacations don’t last forever, and their problems will just be waiting for them
when they get back. For now though, they get to enjoy the beauty of their
surroundings.
Lastly, a new
conflict is introduced as Mr. George Dorset realizes that his wife has been
having an affair with one of the people on the trip, Ned Silverton. At the end
of the second chapter, George even decides to send for Seldon, a lawyer, to
prepare himself for what might be coming.
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