Allusions In The House Of Mirth

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Recommended: To what extent is Edith Wharton "House of Mirth is a work of realism

Edith Wharton’s novel, The House of Mirth, is the story of a girl named Lily Bart trying to find a place for herself in society. Wharton used allusion throughout the book to aid the reader in understanding the events of the narrative. The following essay will highlight three allusions Wharton used, and explain how they helped the reader to understand the corresponding events from the book. About halfway through the story, Lily’s friend Mrs. Bry decides to host a fashion show, of sorts, to establish her name in society (House of Mirth, Sparknotes.com). The show, called a "tableaux vivante,” consisted of pictures of people dressed in costumes and imitating poses from famous works of art (House of Mirth, Sparknotes.com). Lily’s picture, a reimagining of Reynold’s “Mrs. Lloyd,” attracted most of the attention at the party, and is “without distracting …show more content…

Fancy wardrobes, extravagant parties, and endless gossip makes up much of their lives. Even though she doesn’t have an abundance of money, Lily manages to keep pace with her friends. When Bertha lies about her and spreads the untrue news that she had had an affair with George, Lily’s life changes dramatically. She finds it hard to get a job, and she begins running out of money. One of her old friends, Mrs. Fisher, eventually apologizes for being so rude after the cruise and agrees to help her to find a way to make a living. Lily works with one of Mrs. Fisher’s friends for a while, but then Bertha befriends Lily’s employer and causes Lily to quit her job. Lily makes one final attempt at getting job with a woman named Mrs. Hatch. That arrangement goes well until Lily unknowingly gets involved in a scandal of sorts and is forced to quit that job, too. Lily’s last option is to join the working class of New York. She begins working as a hat maker but is unable to keep her job due to her lack of

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