The House of Mirth · Chapter
Chapter II explained
Lily Bart reflects on the consequences of her impulsive visit to Lawrence Selden's apartment, worrying that Simon Rosedale will expose her lie about visiting her dressmaker.
What happens
Lily Bart reflects on the consequences of her impulsive visit to Lawrence Selden's apartment, worrying that Simon Rosedale will expose her lie about visiting her dressmaker. She then focuses on cultivating Percy Gryce during the train journey to Bellomont, using her knowledge of Americana to engage him. Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Bertha Dorset, who creates a commotion as she joins them.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Mobility
Rosedale's social ascent is highlighted through his calculated efforts to be seen with Lily, while Lily herself navigates the precariousness of her own social position.
Appearance vs. Reality
Lily's lie about visiting her dressmaker and her careful performance to engage Percy Gryce illustrate the gap between her true self and the persona she must maintain.
Wealth and Materialism
Percy Gryce's wealth and his mother's emphasis on prudence are contrasted with Lily's need to secure a financially advantageous marriage.
Characters to notice
- Lily Bart
Reflects on her impulsive visit to Selden and the risk of Rosedale exposing her lie; skillfully engages Percy Gryce in conversation about Americana.
- Simon Rosedale
Encountered Lily after her visit to Selden; she fears he will spread the story of her lie about visiting her dressmaker.
- Percy Gryce
Travels with Lily to Bellomont; she successfully engages him by discussing his collection of Americana.
- Bertha Dorset
Boards the train at Garrisons, creating a scene as she insists on sitting with Lily and Percy Gryce.
- Jack Stepney
Mentioned as Lily's cousin who introduced Rosedale to society and defined Percy Gryce as a cautious young man.
- Lawrence Selden
Lily recalls her visit to his apartment and the tea they shared; she uses knowledge gleaned from him to converse with Gryce.
Key passages
“Why must a girl pay so dearly for her least escape from routine? Why could one never do a natural thing without having to screen it behind a structure of artifice?”
Lily laments the high cost of spontaneity for a woman in her social position, where every natural action must be concealed behind a facade.
Reflects Lily's frustration with the constraints of her social role.
“Mr. Rosedale was still at a stage in his social ascent when it was of importance to produce such impressions.”
Rosedale is still climbing the social ladder and values being seen with influential people like Lily.
Highlights Rosedale's social ambition and the transactional nature of social interactions.
“But some intuitive repugnance, getting the better of years of social discipline, had made her push Mr. Rosedale into his oubliette without a trial.”
Despite her training to be polite to everyone, Lily's instinctive dislike led her to snub Rosedale immediately.
Shows Lily's internal conflict between social strategy and personal feeling.
“It struck her as providential that she should be the instrument of his initiation.”
Lily sees it as fortunate that she is the one to introduce Percy Gryce to the experience of traveling alone with a pretty woman.
Demonstrates Lily's calculated approach to romance and marriage.
“She questioned him intelligently, she heard him submissively; and, prepared for the look of lassitude which usually crept over his listeners’ faces, he grew eloquent under her receptive gaze.”
Lily's attentive and intelligent questioning makes Percy Gryce feel knowledgeable and appreciated, encouraging him to talk more.
Illustrates Lily's skill in managing social interactions to her advantage.
