| Author |
Wharton, Edith, 1862-1937 |
| Title |
The House of Mirth
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 67.0 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
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| Summary |
"The House of Mirth" by Edith Wharton is a novel written in the late 19th century that delves into themes of social class, gender roles, and personal ambition. The narrative follows the life of Lily Bart, a beautiful but financially precarious woman navigating the treacherous waters of New York high society. The story likely explores her struggles and unfulfilled desires as she attempts to secure a place in a world that values wealth and status above all. The opening of the novel introduces Lily Bart as she encounters Lawrence Selden at Grand Central Station. Their conversation reveals Lily's current predicament—having missed her train to a social gathering and grappling with her sense of purpose amidst her dependence on the opulent society she inhabits. Throughout their exchange, we see Lily's charm and beauty contrasted with her underlying anxiety about her financial instability and social expectations. The banter between Lily and Selden reveals their previous acquaintance and a deeper connection that hints at complications in both their lives. With a nuanced portrayal of socialites, Wharton's writing invites readers to explore the intricate dynamics of a world where appearances hold power, as Lily grapples with her identity and aspirations. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
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| Subject |
New York (N.Y.) -- Fiction
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| Subject |
Psychological fiction
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| Subject |
Single women -- Fiction
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| Subject |
Social classes -- Fiction
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
284 |
| Release Date |
Jun 1, 1995 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Feb 2, 2023 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
2440 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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