In The House of Mirth, Percy Gryce is a wealthy and eligible young bachelor upon whom Lily, one of Wharton's central characters, sets his eyes. Gryce is used by Wharton as a vehicle to express the superficiality and brutality of New York high society, often through Darwinian references. The idea of ​​survival of the fittest was gaining influence in science and society at the time of the novel's publication. Wharton plays on this scientific discovery and uses it as an extended metaphor to animalize his characters, and thus make them appear more savage to the reader. Additionally, the animalization of the characters is used to satirize society as it conflicts with each of the characters' beliefs that they are far more sophisticated than anyone else, or any other "species" for that matter. Wharton uses various other literary techniques and extended metaphors throughout the novel to describe Percy Gryce, which mock the society he is a part of. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"?Get the original essayPercy Gryce is first described as a shy man by the omniscient narrator, who describes him as "hiding behind an unfolded newspaper ". Wharton's lexical choice of the verb "to conceal" is synonymous with "to act" or "to pretend", implying that Gryce is actually pretending to read the newspaper in order to avoid contact with Lily Bart, another passenger. and protagonist of the journey. novel. The narrator (Wharton) then continues to notice how Gryce is particularly "absorbed" in his diary, which again invites the reader to question the legitimacy of Gryce's true motivations when he "reads" the diary. Wharton did this to lead the reader to an initial conclusion that Gryce is a shy man who does not enjoy the company of others. Wharton then suggested that Lily start pursuing Gryce, a man who minds his own business. Wharton made fun of New York high society because, despite Gryce's efforts to avoid talking to anyone on the train, Lily completely ignores him and only sees his wealth as an indicator that he is attractive for her despite her glaring personality flaws. This theme of superficiality is often used by Wharton to mock New York high society, as it turns out to be the character's common trait, vanity. Physically, Gryce is a man with "a face as if it had been dipped in crimson." Crimson is used by Wharton to evoke Gryce's aristocratic/wealthy side. (The colors of Elizabethan clothing, including the color purple, provided information about the status of the man or woman wearing it. This was not only dictated by the person's wealth, it also reflected their status social.) The color purple also demonstrates discomfiture/blushing on Gryce's part as he is a clumsy man and notices Lily Bart's "hand gripping the back of his chair". Gryce is further shown to have "the reddish tint of his beard" "deepening" again, giving further implications about his wealth and embarrassment. Wharton did this for ironic purposes which, in turn, makes fun of New York high society. Gryce is then presented by Wharton as "prey", which makes him the victim of the cruel, cold and superficial which is described throughout the novel. This theme of Hunter and Hunted continues when Wharton shows that "Lily knew the species before." Wharton did this to mock the society that Lily and Gryce are a part of by using irony. The irony is.