Edith Wharton
Chapters IX & X, pages 221-241
At last, a reunion between Selden and Lily. Not quite the star-crossed lovers that I had hoped that they would turn out to be, but at least Selden was able to get over himself and bring himself to stop avoiding Lily. As I said earlier, and still hold to be true in the bottom of my heart, Selden and Lily will end up together whether by the fate that seems to be controlling the life of Lily Bart or by their own free choice. Although, I feel like Lily might have a plan for her future. "...but as you have always told me that the sole object of a bringing-up like mine was to teach a girl to get what she wants, why not assume that that is precisely what I am doing?" (Wharton, 228). However much Selden wants to deny that she can do what she sets her mind to, he cannot deny that he wants her to be happy, and he wants to be happy with her. If only he would have waited a little longer to listen to Lily, I'm sure Selden would have been able to express his true feelings towards her.
Their relationship keeps reminding me of songs by Adele. Maybe it's the heartbreak, the unhappiness of having to hide their feelings, or maybe it's the need to let each other go. In any manner, the song that seems to fit their situation at this time is "Turning Tables" because it is not a one-sided love affair, and the two cannot keep fighting for the affection of the other and then let it slip away.
A lot can happen in thirty pages, and I expect that Wharton will accept my challenge of a thoroughly entertaining ending!
No comments:
Post a Comment