Study Questions for House of Mirth – Book I

1. The opening chapter of the novel takes place primarily in Selden’s apartment. What details about his apartment does Wharton provide? Why does Lily feel comfortable in this space? Why does she envy Selden for having it?

2. Upon leaving Selden’s apartment, Lily has her first encounter with Sim Rosedale. What is the nature of this encounter? How does it help to introduce tension in to the narrative? What does it reveal about social expectation of the time?

3. How would you characterize Lily’s relationship with her aunt, Mrs. Peniston? Why does Lily chafe against the restrictions her aunt places upon her?

4. How does Lily imagine a relationship with Percy Gryce could change her life? What are the negative aspects that she foresees in such a relationship?

5. How would you characterize the house party at Bellomont? What is Lily’s role there? Why does Lily compare herself to he own maid? Is this an accurate view?

6. What develops in the relationship between Lily and Gus Trenor? Is Lily naïve about this relationship or does she over-estimate her own power?

7. How does Lily feel when Percy Gryce’s engagement is announced? Why does Wharton include this in the narrative?

8. What mistake does Lily make with regard to Grace Stepney? How does Lily underestimate her?

9. Why does Lily buy the letters that Mrs. Haffen offers her? What does her encounter with Mrs. Haffen reveal about Lily’s attitude toward working women?

10. Why does Wharton include the chapter about Gerty Farish’s charity work? How is Wharton using a variety of single and married women as a means of shedding additional light on Lily’s circumstances and her character?

11. The party given by the Wellington Brys serves a number of purposes in the novel. One of them is to present Lily in the tableau vivant. How do other characters react when they see her? Are they seeing a true picture?

12. Chapter 13 presents Lily’s encounter with Gus Trenor. How does she react to his advances? Is she being honest about her own conduct?

13. Selden has admitted to Gerty Farish that he is interest in Lily. He sees himself as someone who could rescue her – he likens himself to Perseus and thinks of her as Andromeda. Why use this classical myth? What does it tell us about Selden?

14. How does Selden react when he sees Lily leaving Gus Trenor’s?

15. In the last chapter of Book I, Lily is waiting for Selden to come to her, but he does not. Instead, Sim Rosedale pays a call. How does Lily respond to this? Why would Wharton close Book I by juxtaposing Lily against the two male characters that she encountered in the opening of the novel?