IThe House of Mirth] tells the story of Lily Bart's fall from the upper reaches of the social spectrum to the humble depths of the working class. The characters in the novel represent all levels of society, from the urban poor to the extremely wealthy. Wealth, however, is not the only factor determining the social status of the characters. The method of acquiring money and, more importantly, the need to work is what defines an individual's social rank. Lily oscillates between the leisure classes and the working classes; Although she is not independently wealthy, she initially scoffs at the idea of ​​working because it is her idleness that allows her to maintain her social status. As an aristocrat, working for a living would be unthinkable; but once abandoned by her friends, her refusal and inability to work leads to her downfall. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on 'Why violent video games should not be banned'? Get the original essay The upper strata of society are occupied by people with 'old money' (like the Trenors, the Dorsets and the Van Osburgh). These families were born rich and never needed to work to earn a living. Born into a family of wealthy bankers and merchants who were among the early settlers of New York, Wharton herself was part of this leisure class and thus speaks about it with precision and insight (McDowell, 19). The class is characterized by uselessness and lack of productivity. They spend their days hosting dinner parties, vacationing in Europe, and buying unnecessary items. Percy Gryce, for example, has an extensive collection of Americana books, and he “was as proud of his [Americana] heritage as if it were his own work” (Wharton, 22). However, the fact that his collection was indeed not acquired through his own labor “underscores his position as a gentleman” (Yeazell, 716). Unlike the old rich, the new rich have recently earned their money and must struggle to climb the rungs of the social ladder. In The House of Mirth this class is represented by the Wellington Brys, the Gormers and Simon Rosedale. The Wellington Brys and the Gormers are aided in their rise by Carry Fisher and Lily, who know the delicate tastes and customs of the old rich, have connections with members of the leisure class and, lacking their own source of wealth, can benefit from assistance for new arrivals. The divisions between the leisure class and the nouveau riche are not entirely insurmountable; some members of the nouveau riche are winning the struggle to find a place in the upper strata of society. The Wellington Brys attempt to advance in society by throwing lavish but tasteful parties under the supervision of Carry Fisher that aim to “attack society collectively” (Wharton, 129). Simon Rosedale, for his part, seeks to make useful acquaintances, for example by giving "advice" to Gus Trenor or Jack Stepney on investing on Wall Street, or, as in Lily's case, by "displaying a awkward familiarity with the world. habits of those with whom he wished to be considered intimate” (Wharton, 17). Throughout the novel, Rosedale gradually improves his social status and decides that he wants "a woman who will hold her head higher the more diamonds I put on it" (Wharton, 172). When he initially proposes to Lily, she rejects him, but once she falls out of society's grace and no longer has the power to "shorten the remaining steps of Rosedale's path" to high society, he does not. 'needs her no more (Wharton, 234). Rosedale has “gradually reachedher purpose in life” through “slow, unwavering perseverance,” while Lily’s indecision slowly brought about her downfall (Wharton, 234). Gerty Farish and Lawrence Selden are laborers, but they maintain connections with members of the leisure class. Gerty was born into a wealthy family but chose a modest life while performing charity work. Selden is related to rich people, and therefore always spends his free time with aristocrats. Gerty is looked down upon by high society and “Lily and, to some extent, the narrative voice itself characterize Gerty as a different and inferior species of being” (Buell, 660). She is considered a “parasite in the moral order, living on crumbs from other tables and content to watch through the window at the banquet prepared for her friends” (Wharton, 147). Even if Selden claims to “preserve a kind of republic of the mind,” as Buell points out, “her desire to remain in the world of haute couture is hardly less strong than that of Lily” (Wharton, 68; Buell, 660). Selden, although he earns his living as a lawyer, “spends his evenings...dining with the society he loves to ridicule” (Auchincloss, 29). Selden is “such a refined hedonist that he is never able to break away from [high society]” (McDowell, 45). Even though Gerty and Selden work for a living, they remain connected to high society and maintain their enjoyment in the finer things in life. However, the fact that they work for a living separates them from their friends; Lily, even though she finally realizes that she loves Selden, will not consider the possibility of marrying him. Likewise, Gerty, since she is "the only woman in Lily's cast who opts for an old-fashioned, do-gooder lifestyle," is scorned for choosing a life of modesty. The only characters in the novel who are real members of the working masses are Nettie Struther and the housekeeper. Early in the novel, Lily runs into the housekeeper as she leaves Selden's apartment. Wharton describes the char-woman in unflattering terms: “She had a broad, sallow face, slightly marked by smallpox” (Wharton, 15). The author paints a somewhat kinder portrait of Nettie Struther. During her brief charitable phase, Lily sponsored Nettie's trip to a sanitarium when Nettie contracted a lung disease. After recovering from her illness, Nettie married and had a child. Even though Nettie is very poor, she has found happiness in the love of her family. However, his life “had the frail and daring permanence of a bird's nest built on the edge of a cliff – a single strand of leaves and straw, yet so put together that the lives entrusted to it could hang safely above the abyss” (Wharton, 311). Although Lily is grateful for the shelter Nettie provides, Nettie is still portrayed as if she belongs to a different species than the upperclassmen. Wharton describes her beauty as "common" and she has an almost childish admiration for Lily, watching for her name in the newspapers. Despite a busy life, Nettie is always portrayed as an inferior being, as are all the workers in the novel. The workers envy the glamorous life of the upper classes and faithfully follow their lives in the columns of the newspapers. Wharton describes the women working in the milliner's shop as an "underworld of workers who lived on their vanity and self-indulgence" (Wharton, 278). Nettie Struther tells Lily that she wants her child to grow up to be like her. Although the workers in the novel may be happier than those who do not work, Wharton portrays them as simpler, more primitive creatures who think that the rich live better lives than they do. Lily. 59 (1992): 713- 734.