# Gerty Farish — The House of Mirth character guide

> Gerty Farish in The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Gertrude Farish, Miss Farish, Miss Gertrude Farish

**First appearance:** 0003-iii

## Snapshot

A plain, warm-hearted charity worker whose cramped stairs and open door offer Lily the one friendship untainted by calculation.

## Who they are

Gerty lives on the unfashionable edge of the city, spending her days finding work for genteel women whose husbands and brothers have gambled away their futures. She adores Lily without illusions and forgives her without conditions, and her modest sitting-room becomes the novel's conscience, where the human cost of the marriage market is tallied in other people's debts. Her loyalty to Lily, and her quiet friendship with Selden, gives the story its moral counterweight.

## Relationships

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

_friendship_

A loyal but one-sided friendship where Gerty offers genuine affection and support, while Lily often takes her for granted.

### [Lawrence Selden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/characters/lawrence_selden)

_friendship_

A warm, platonic friendship based on shared values and genuine concern for each other's well-being.

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

_friendship_

A loyal but one-sided friendship where Gerty offers genuine affection and support, while Lily often takes her for granted.

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

_friendship_

A loyal but one-sided friendship where Gerty offers genuine affection and support, while Lily often takes her for granted.

### [Lawrence Selden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/characters/lawrence_selden)

_friendship_

A warm, platonic friendship based on shared values and genuine concern for each other's well-being.

### [Lawrence Selden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/characters/lawrence_selden)

_friendship_

A warm, platonic friendship based on shared values and genuine concern for each other's well-being.

## In the story

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

Mentioned as Lily's cousin and a contrast to Lily's world; she lives a modest, independent life as a working woman.

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

Mentioned by Selden as a girl who lives in a flat; Lily dismisses her lifestyle as unappealing.

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

Accompanies Lily at the wedding, chirping enthusiastically about the presents.

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

Lily encounters her at a shop and gives her a charitable donation, feeling a sense of moral virtue.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/chapters/xii)

Sits next to Selden at the party, expressing her admiration for Lily's kindness and her work with the Girls' Club.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/chapters/xiv)

Wakes from happy dreams, feeling joy from Selden's kindness and his interest in Lily; later becomes jealous and hates Lily, but ultimately takes her in when Lily arrives distraught.

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

Provides Lily with shelter and care after her breakdown, bringing her tea and scrambled eggs, though their interaction is strained.

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

Lily's loyal friend who offers shelter after the Dorset scandal and represents a simpler, more genuine life.

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

Lily's only remaining friend in town; offers consolation and support after the will reading.

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

Gerty's moral support is acknowledged, but Lily finds it easier to confide in Carry Fisher, who takes her situation for granted.

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

Worries about Lily, discusses her with Selden, and offers sympathy but feels unable to help effectively.

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

Continues to watch over Lily from a distance, having helped place her at the millinery shop.

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

Lily has avoided Gerty since her dismissal from the milliner's.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_mirth_se/chapters/xiv)

Opens the door for Selden, leads him to Lily's room, and gives him a private half-hour to say goodbye.

## Links

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