Marry for Love? How Odd!

The House of Mirth
by Edith Wharton

Book 2, chap V-VI

As with most complex plots, a solution usually follows the falling action.  Though a definitive one has not shown itself, Lily searches for a solution.  Thankfully, she has a friend to help her, Mrs. Fisher.  Carry Fisher introduces Lily into a new crowd, hosted by the Gormer's.  Lily  is accepted into a group that she would never have considered before her social exclusion.  In addition to finding her a place to stay and lots of friendly company, Carry has suggestions for possible husbands, because marriage would be a great way to get Lily back into a positive light in the public eye.  The two proposed solutions are George Dorset, because he has feelings for Lily and would only leave Mrs. Dorset if he had someone to go to; and, Mr. Rosedale, because he is very wealthy and could strongly aid Lily's re-entrance into high society.  After making it very clear that Mr. Dorset was not a viable option, Lily seems inclined to consider a marriage to Mr. Rosedale, even though she does not have much to offer him.  But as the case always is with Lily, she has determination, skills, and a plan.  "What if she made him marry her for love, now that he had no other reason for marrying her?" (Wharton, 195)
I believe that quote is also an example of satire.  Wharton is making a point that marriage in the 1900's was rarely, if ever, based on love, at least within the upper class.  In our society today, love could be the first and only reason for marriage, but back then, people married for money, elevated social standing, business deals, the merging of two prominent families, lust, and many other non-emotional reasons.  By implying that love would be one of the last reasons to get married, Wharton is satirizing the lack of romance involved in 18th century unions.