Discuss the portrayal of New York Society at the turn of the twentieth century in Edith Wharton’s “The House of Mirth.”
Edith Wharton’s ‘House of Mirth’ critically depicts New York’s society at the turn of the 19th century as money orientated, unequal and content with its missing morals and ethics. Having experienced first-hand the upper class of America, Wharton is able to expose this dismal society in a way many other writers were unable to. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, the Great Gatsby society is also a key theme. Based in the growing New York of the 1920s, Fitzgerald portrays the theme of society through the influx of new money and its difference between those of old money. Due to the historical differences between the two novels, Wharton’s novel can been seen as a criticism of this society; Fitzgerald’s novel uses society to enhance the plot, sometimes he does criticise it. Fitzgerald criticises this society as he reveals it to be a lost generation after a major worldwide conflict, which has turned into a hedonistic and materialistic society.

Word Count for Page One: 313
Word Count for Page One: 313
Money plays a big part within the characters’ lives and the society within ‘House of Mirth’. Wealth is an important factor, in order to be accepted into the higher society. Lily teeters on the edge of this society, however her lack of money limits her from being accepted fully. Wharton explores the idea of inherited wealth through characters such as Percy Gryce, she displays how they’re automatically accepted into this society due to family prestige. Lily teeters on the edge of this society; her lack of money limits her from being accepted fully. This is due to the expenses that are necessary in order to be able to belong in this society such as playing bridge and wearing expensive clothing. Having been a member of this society Wharton is able to expose the power