The House of Mirth (Book II)
Just Some Thoughts
So, did anyone else find it a little suspicious that JUST as Lily read about Selden's leaving-"'Mr. Lawrence Selden was among the passengers sailing this afternoon for Havana and the West Indies on the Windward Liner Antilles'" (Wharton, 145)-she happened to receive a letter from the Dorsets requesting her company on a "cruise in Mediterranean" (Wharton, 146)? I mean, for a while I didn't think anything of it, but then it struck me. The love of Lily and Selden is FATE!
I feel as if this is Wharton's representation to the keen reader that the strong relationship (most likely looove) between the two can not be broken. Even his attempt to leave her and the country itself behind fails. Just when it seems as if the couple will never reunite, fate brings them together. Here are some examples so far:
1. When Lily went to Bellomont at the beginning of the story, and Selden initially declined the invitation but later, mysteriously changed his mind.
2. The example in the paragraph above.
3. While in Europe, the arguement between the Dorsets happened to bring the two together once more.
Those are just a few! This is so clear to me now. I am eager to be on the lookout for more of these clues in Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth. This is destiny.
I never really interpreted these chance meetings as fate, more of just convenient coincidences. Now that I think of it, this idea of fate ties into the star-crossed lovers of Romeo and Juliet. When you finish the book, you'll see the similarities don't stop at destiny...
ReplyDeleteAnd your font makes everyone look like a girl. Well played...
ReplyDeleteI'm getting anxious to find out!! And muahaha! Thank you, thank you. :)
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