Edith Wharton’s novel, The House of Mirth (1905), chronicles the story of Lily Bart, a well-born beauty who nonetheless struggles to sustain herself in New York City’s high society with very limited means. Set in the “Gilded Age” of the late 19th century, the novel traces Lily’s slow two-year social descent from privilege to a lonely existence on the margins of society. In the words of one scholar, Wharton uses Lily as an attack on “an irresponsible, grasping and morally corrupt upper class.”

The commercial and critical success of The House of Mirth solidified Wharton’s reputation as a major novelist. Literary reviewers and critics at the time categorized the book as both a sharp social satire and a novel of manners. However, the novel’s unique blend of romance, realism, and naturalism—as well as Wharton’s stunning depiction of her flawed heroine—provide a provocative reading experience that transcends categorization. We’ll explore this novel within the social and cultural contexts of the time.

Reading comprises about 100 pages per week. Class will consist of brief lectures, PowerPoint presentations, and lots of discussion.