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The House of Mirth - Personal Freedom Over Society's Will.
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The House of Mirth - Personal Freedom Over Society's Will The structure and organization of a novel, while considered an inherent part of any literary piece also serves an important role as it complements the plot structure, characterization and its thematic development. The structure Edith Wharton uses in The House of Mirth seems to mirror the gradual waning of Lily's spirit. Book I seemingly is strictly structured by Lily's behavior and attitude while Book II is much more extensive and chaotic. Book I is in accordance with Lily's actions, which seem to defy society's 'obiter dictum' and thus leading to the complicated and intricate scene between Lily and Gus Trenor, which is at the center of Wharton's novel. Book II has a looser structure, which follows the downward vortex of Lily's life from being the Dorset's companion to finally dying in a shoddy boardinghouse. Thematically this spiral emphasizes Lily's deteriorating...
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