Rock Bottom

The House of Mirth
by Edith Wharton

Book 2, chap X-XI

At this point, Lily seems to be as low as she can possibly go.  A gorgeous and eligible young woman, reduced to monotonous factory work.  In her time of continuous struggle, Miss Bart has gone through more than just a social and career change.  She has gone through physical, emotional, and moral changes as well.  "What made her so much more clumsy than usual? Was it a growing distaste for her task, or actual physical disability? She felt tired and confused: it was an effort to put her thoughts together" (Wharton, 232).  Lily seems fully beaten and no definitive and permanent solution is in site.  All she has left are the packet of letters from Mrs. Dorset and a tempting offer from Mr. Rosedale.  "Lily, perceiving all this, understood that he would marry her at once, on the sole condition of a reconciliation with Mrs. Dorset; and the temptation was the less easy to put aside because little by little, circumstances were breaking her dislike for Rosedale" (Wharton, 244).  I pity Lily.  I actually really want her to just end all this and follow Rosedale's plan.  I think Mrs. Dorset deserves it, and Rosedale has the ability to provide for Lily quite handsomely.  I mean, I would love for Lily and Selden to end up together, but they won't admit their feelings for each other, and it wouldn't really help Lily's financial situation.  I was very proud when at the end of the chapter, it seemed that Lily was set on taking the letters to the Dorset's house.  But as so often happens with Lily, she was turned away from the end result of her plan by spontaneous change in feeling.  This change in feeling shows itself in her rapid detour into Selden's house.  Though I am glad she went to visit him, I am worried about what will happen in her near future.
Many of Lily's initial characteristics, of determination, beauty, skill, pride, and vitality, seemed to have been severely weakened by her unfortunate situation.  She clearly still maintains some beauty and pride, as is shown in Rosedale's admiration of her, and her rejection of Rosedale's offer of revenge or a loan.  I hope that Lily will find a solution that satisfies her to the point of restoring all her endearing characteristics to there youthful fullness.

In reference to my last post, I knew that Mrs. Hatch served almost no purpose.  The only memorable result that came from Lily's occupation under her was that it further injured Lily's social standing and broke even more ties with her acquaintances, if it was possible for things to get worse.