Edith Wharton in The House of Mirth has really portrayed George Trenor as a creep in chapter 13. I really believe his temptations for Lily have really gotten the best of him. He has trapped Lily in a situation that she cannot seem to get herself out of. This seems to be a climax of the story. Her life is about to be turned all the way around. Lily just bailed on Lawrence Selden to dine with Judy Trenor; however, George Trenor set her up to look like she is in an affair with him. "I did play a trick on you; I own up to it; but if you think I'm ashamed you're mistaken" (Wharton, pg117).
In this society, it seems to be true that once a woman is talked of, she is done. One of Lily's dominant traits is that of vanity. She has let her wanting to be adored by all men overtake her reputation. I believe that throughout the rest of this novel, Lily Bart will not be able to get this back.
Lily even admits to herself that she has become someone she is not proud of.
"...there were two selves in her, the one she had always known and a new abhorrent being to which it found itself chained" (Wharton, pg120). Miss Bart had always felt she was different deep down than what society had in store for her. She felt that in her heart she didn't want what was to be expected of her. However, now Lily feels that she cannot get herself out of this hole she has dug for herself.
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