# Carry Fisher — The House of Mirth character guide

> Carry Fisher in The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mrs. Fisher, Carry, Fisher

**First appearance:** 0005-v

## Snapshot

Twice-divorced and perpetually short of funds, Carry Fisher survives high society by charming its dull husbands and managing its impossible weekends.

## Who they are

Carry occupies the precarious ledge between guest and dependent: clever enough to be indispensable at Bellomont, compromised enough that the Wetheralls refuse to meet her. Her specialty is devoting herself to bores, a niche that keeps her invited and lets her borrow money from men like Gus Trenor. She matters because she shows Lily a possible future — the woman who stays afloat on wit and favors, and who always overdoes things.

## Relationships

### [Lily Bart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/characters/lily_bart)

_friendship_

A pragmatic friendship where Carry acts as a social fixer, helping Lily navigate high society while also profiting from her connections.

### [Bertha Dorset](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/characters/bertha_dorset)

_social_

A transactional relationship where Carry manages Bertha's social appearances while both women manipulate each other.

### [Bertha Dorset](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/characters/bertha_dorset)

_social_

A transactional relationship where Carry manages Bertha's social appearances while both women manipulate each other.

### [Lily Bart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/characters/lily_bart)

_friendship_

A pragmatic friendship where Carry acts as a social fixer, helping Lily navigate high society while also profiting from her connections.

### [Bertha Dorset](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/characters/bertha_dorset)

_social_

A transactional relationship where Carry manages Bertha's social appearances while both women manipulate each other.

### [Lily Bart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/characters/lily_bart)

_friendship_

A pragmatic friendship where Carry acts as a social fixer, helping Lily navigate high society while also profiting from her connections.

## In the story

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/chapters/vii)

Eagerly comments on Percy Gryce's ignorance of card-playing and his duty as a citizen.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/chapters/x)

Guides Mrs. Wellington Bry's social ascent and organizes the Adirondack party.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/chapters/xi)

Assists Rosedale in his social ascent; noted for her role in helping newcomers navigate society.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/chapters/xiii)

Hosts a dinner party that Lily attends before visiting the Trenors.

### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/chapters/i)

Mrs. Fisher confides in Selden about the Brys' social struggles and Lily Bart's complicated role with the Dorsets.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/chapters/ii)

Carry confides in Lily about her fallout with Mrs. Bry and her plan to leave the Brys to Lily.

### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/chapters/v)

Carry advises Lily to marry quickly, proposing George Dorset or Simon Rosedale as potential husbands.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/chapters/vi)

Hosts Lily at Tuxedo, discusses Bertha Dorset's machinations, and warns Lily about the need to fight the world on its own terms.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/chapters/viii)

Attempts to help Lily find work as a social secretary, but struggles to monetize Lily's social graces.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/chapters/x)

Assisted in arranging Lily's position at Mme. Regina's, but is frustrated by Lily's refusal to work in the showroom.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/characters/carry_fisher
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/characters