"The Unsinkable Molly Brown"

The House of Mirth (Book II)
Chapters I & II

The first part of Book II of Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth focuses on Lily's time Europe with the Dorsets. Additionally, Lily and her companions cross the path of other members of their "society" from back home, including the "new-to-money" Bry couple. The Brys are still learning to fit in; veteran members of society are quick to judge their behavior, evident by Mrs. Fishers complaints to Lily saying, "'It's all very well to say that everybody with money can get into society; but it would be truer to say nearly anybody can. And the London market is so glutted with new Americans that, to succeed there now, they must be either very clever or awfull queer. The Brys are neither" (Wharton, 151). Mrs. Fishers attitude represents that of the "society" as a whole toward outsiders. This further emphasizes the exclusiveness and arogance of the group, making it more dislikeable for the reader. My hopes are that Wharton is slowly adding details like these to build up such dislikeableness (is that even a word?!), and that Lily will eventually leave the "society" all together to pursue happiness in her genuine relationships as opposed to money and materials.
When reading society's view of the Brys, I was reminded of "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" character from the movie Titanic. At the beginning of the film, Rose quotes her mother in referring to Molly as "new money." Though wealthy and hoping to fit in with her peers, Molly is a down-to-earth and genuinely kind woman. However, similar to "society's" relation to the Brys, at one point in the movie, the wealthy ladies attempt to leave tea time in the dining room as quickly as possible in hopes to evade the approaching Molly Brown, whom they are embarassed to be seen with. This is another example to the exclusive attitude of the rich. Molly is an extremely likeable character; for this reason, I am hoping Wharton eventually turns Lily away from money and its evils and creates for her a likeable persona.



Sidenote: In reference to my previous "Selden the SK8R Boi" post, I have found this quote in Chapter I referring to Lily Bart's courting habits-further emphasizes my point!

"'That's Lily all over, you know: she works like a slave preparing the ground and sowing her seed; but the day she ought to be reaping the harvest she oversleeps herself  or goes on a picnic" (Wharton, 152).