The House of Mirth

The House of Mirth (1905) by Edith Wharton is a novel about Lily Bart, a beautiful but impoverished woman in New York high society at the turn of the 20th century. Pressured by societal expectations to secure a wealthy husband, Lily navigates a world of luxury, gossip, and rigid social codes. Though intelligent and charming, she hesitates between marrying for money or love, leading to lost opportunities and misunderstandings. As scandals and financial troubles surround her, Lily becomes increasingly isolated, her beauty and social standing fading. Ultimately, her inability to reconcile personal integrity with society's demands leads to her tragic downfall.