The House of Mirth by
Edith Wharton
“Either? Are
there actually two?” (Wharton, 193). At the current time, Lily is in dire need
of help as Bertha Dorset’s false rumors convince everyone that Lily should no
longer live amongst the upper class. What is even worse is that Lily’s monetary
situation is worsening and she has little money left. Her only solution is to
marry and Carry Fisher, her friend, has chosen two candidates: George Dorset
and Sim Rosedale. Although George Dorset is already married to Bertha, he has
taken a liking to Lily very recently. Sim Rosedale is single and already
proposed to Lily but she said no. George Dorset and Sim Rosedale are foil
characters. Sim Rosedale is one of the highest members of the upper class and
has a great deal of wealth but his personal self is repulsive to Lily. George
Dorset has money but is not as high in the food chain as Rosedale, but Lily is
agreeable to George’s personal self. In addition, marrying George would be
delayed since he would first have to get a divorce. Marrying Rosedale would be
quicker. In either case, both marriages would ruin Bertha Dorset. Rosedale has
money and money is power. A divorce would shame Bertha but it could potentially
hurt George and Lily as well. In my opinion, Rosedale would be better as it is
a safer route and she could marry him quicker as her time is of the essence.
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