Family Expectations and Gender Roles: Lily Bart’s Struggle in The House of Mirth

At the heart of The House of Mirth lies the tension between Lily Bart’s personal desires and the expectations placed on her by her family and society. Raised to be a marriageable commodity, Lily’s family influences her understanding of gender roles and personal worth. However, her tragic life reveals how women, in particular, are boxed into societal roles based on beauty, marriage, and wealth, while men are allowed more freedom and agency. This stark gender inequality is one of the novel’s central themes.

Family Expectations and Societal Pressure:

Lily’s family, especially her late father, who squandered their wealth, leaves her with limited options. She is expected to marry well to maintain her family’s social standing, yet her independence and modern views on love and marriage complicate her pursuit of security. Throughout the novel, Lily grapples with the idea that marriage is her only avenue for survival, as society offers few opportunities for women outside this institution.

The novel reveals how family dynamics shape Lily’s fate. Her family’s neglect, along with her stepmother’s push toward securing her future through marriage, reinforces Lily’s feeling of being objectified by both her family and society. The lack of genuine familial support in Lily’s life leads her to make increasingly destructive decisions, as she feels emotionally and financially dependent on the people around her.

Gender and Social Expectations:

Wharton critiques the rigid gender roles that restrict women’s freedom in both their personal and professional lives. Women are expected to marry for financial security, and beauty becomes their most valuable asset. However, Lily is unable to find fulfillment in this role, as her personal autonomy is stifled by these expectations. Her emotional isolation stems not only from societal demands but also from the lack of understanding and support from those closest to her.

3. Social Expectations in The House of Mirth: Wharton’s Critique of New York Society

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Description:
In The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton critiques the social expectations of New York’s high society during the early 20th century. The novel explores how wealth, status, and appearance are valued above personal character, and how individuals like Lily Bart, who fail to conform to these societal norms, find themselves alienated and ultimately destroyed. Wharton’s commentary on social class and societal pressure reveals how rigid social expectations can trap individuals in cycles of superficiality and dehumanization.