The House of Mirth: Book II, Chapters XI and XII

More important themes of a wealthy lifestlye are brought to light in this section of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. The most important theme is revealed when Miss Bart has to choose how she wants to spend the rest of her life. She most choose whether obtain the material wealth is worth breaking her moral code and standards. Miss Bart has to, "Trade his on [Selden's] name, and profit by a secret of his past," in order to get Mr. Rosedale to marry her (Wharton, 247). Many extremely wealthy people are given a challenge in their career that makes them choose between moral dignity or higher profit, and Miss Bart has hit this challenge. Her view on wealth is so distorted that she is willing to use Selden, who she loves, in order to be accepted by society. Luckily, Miss Bart does not succumb to the temptations that Mr. Rosedale has placed before her so many times. With this theme Wharton is trying to send a message that even in tough times, people can make moral decisions. With this theme, which I believe to be the most important them, also included the climax of the novel. The second Miss Bart dropped the letters into the fire represented that she had overcome the social pressures and was able to finally stick to her moral standards.