The Scandalous Lives of New York's Elite

   As I am introduced to the luxurious life of Miss Lily Bart, I feel as if I have stepped into an episode of Gossip Girl: Gilded Age.  Everyone knows everything about everybody!  However, through this, Wharton points out the underlying societal issues that become prevalent as The House of Mirth develops.  She notes the alarming rise of divorce within families.  Throughout the entirety of the novel, the inability of a woman to make a life for herself without the need of man to help displays itself.  I noticed that nearly all the persons facing financial trouble are women.  I have a strong distaste for how during the Gilded Age a person was measured by the weight of their last name.  Seldom is one judged by their personal characteristics but rather by the brilliancy of the jewels wrapped around her neck or the immense capacity of his house; the harsh judgements of one person seem to be shared by all whether or not the others have conversed with the woman or seen the inside of the man's house.

    The elitists' lives are balanced upon the gossip of others.  Words can literally destroy one's social stature.  The women, as always, are the worst.  I feel as if I entered one of these women's drawing rooms on the right day my head would explode with the information being spoken about others in such a foul manner.  The narcissism in the manner of speaking is lost on no one, not even Miss Bart.  When she speaks of Mr. Percy Gryce with the other women, she speaks as if she's already engaged.  Yet, she has had but one mere conversation with him!  Lily would do anything to become a puppet in this forsaken, deluxe show even if that means marrying a man that nearly bores her to tears.  Surprisingly, while at Bellomont, Lily sees a glimpse of the reality of this life.  She recognizes herself as lost in a fantasy world wishing her reality were more picturesque.  When she takes a step back, "she saw that they were merely dull in a loud way" (Wharton, 44).  Lily wants to live the fantasy, but she seems to think the fantasy is the reality when, in fact, it is not.