Love Conquers All!

The House of Mirth

Edith Wharton
Chapters XI & XII, pages 241-252

Because of my excitement, I have to exclaim something before I begin my analysis of this section. YES! FINALLY!

Lily lets Selden know how she feels! Letting go of the "old Lily," however, is nonsense because they will still end up together.

But back to what I am actually supposed to be doing...

Again, we see the symbolism of the weather come into play. As Lily leaves Rosedale, she walks along the street to "a rush of cold rain slanted into her face," (Wharton, 247). I have two theories behind the meaning of this sudden change in the weather: Lily has either reached her lowest point and is beyond the help of others or the rain acts as a moment of clarity or a smack in the face by which she realizes that Selden is the one for her. I favor the second option, but the first has basis as well.

When Lily finally reaches the Benedick, she notices that Selden's apartment is just as she had remembered it. Wharton included this recollection to illustrate that Lily feels as though Selden is the only person in her life that has not changed his attitude towards throughout the development of the story. She feels comfort in the invariability that Selden has offered to her.

Referring back to my burst of joy at the beginning of this post, Lily reaffirms that she does not want to leave Selden by burning the letters that would ultimately have harmed him. Following their conversation, Lily experienced an ironic change of heart. Just moments beforehand, she was ready to ruin Mrs. Dorset (and consequently Selden) in exchange for a marriage for money. But alas, she realizes that money cannot replace the feeling of true love, and her true love is Selden.