The House of Mirth · Chapters

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Chapter companions for The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton.

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Chapter 1
Book I
Lily Bart, a beautiful and socially ambitious young woman, is introduced as she meets Lawrence Selden at Grand Central Terminal. She visits his apartment, revealing her desire for a life of wealth and status while also showing a longing for intellectual companionship. The chapter establishes her precarious financial situation and her reliance on marriage to secure her future, setting the stage for her struggles within the rigid social hierarchy of New York's elite.
Chapter 2
Chapter I
Lawrence Selden encounters Carry Fisher in Monte Carlo, who updates him on Lily Bart's social maneuvers and precarious position with the Dorsets. Lily is revealed to be skillfully managing George Dorset's attention while Bertha Dorset pursues an affair with Ned Silverton. Selden, still affected by his past feelings for Lily, observes her poised on the edge of a desperate situation.
Chapter 3
Chapter II
Lily Bart navigates social tensions aboard the Sabrina, dealing with Bertha Dorset's manipulative accusations and the fallout from the Duchess's snub of Mrs. Bry. She encounters Carry Fisher, who offers to 'leave' her the Brys as a social project, and later observes Bertha's strained composure during a visit from the Duchess and Lord Hubert. The chapter highlights the precariousness of Lily's social position and the duplicity of her relationships.
Chapter 4
Chapter III
Selden receives a telegram from Lily Bart and agrees to help manage the volatile situation between Bertha and George Dorset. He counsels Dorset to maintain appearances and reassures Lily that the immediate crisis has passed, though he remains uneasy about the underlying tensions.
Chapter 5
Chapter IV
After Mrs. Peniston's death, Lily learns she has been left only $10,000 while Grace Stepney inherits the bulk of the estate. She seeks a loan from Grace but is rebuffed. Lily reflects on her social isolation following the Dorset scandal and her inability to defend herself. She resolves to slowly regain her position, but the reading of the will confirms her disinheritance and deepens her solitude.

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Book I

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV