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House of Mirth Study Guide

by Edith Wharton

House of Mirth study guide contains a biography of Edith Wharton, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Lily Bart, the main character, is standing on a railway platform waiting for a train when Lawrence Selden sees her. He decides to see if she will greet him, and when she does he learns that she has missed her train to go to the Trenor's house. He takes a walk with her and they end up going into his apartment to enjoy some tea and a smoke. Upon leaving Selden's house, Lily encounters a Mr. Rosedale, a wealthy man who is not yet a member of the elite New York society. He is suspicious of her being in a bachelor's house and she runs into a cab and catches her train without explaining what she was doing.

On the train Lily encounters Percy Gryce, one of the very wealthy bachelors that she is hoping to marry. Lily causes them to meet…

Read the full House of Mirth Summary

• House of Mirth Summary
• About House of Mirth
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis of Book I, Chapters 1-5
• Summary and Analysis of Book I, Chapters 6-10
• Summary and Analysis of Book I, Chapters 11-15
• Summary and Analysis of Book II, Chapters 1-5
• Summary and Analysis of Book II, Chapters 6-10
• Summary and Analysis of Book II, Chapters 11-14
• Related Links on House of Mirth
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• House of Mirth: Essays
• House of Mirth: E-Text
• House of Mirth: Questions
• House of Mirth: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• Edith Wharton: Biography