In sections VII and VIII, marked an important turning point for Lily. As Lily fell into her normal pattern of socially failing, looking for comfort, and then resolving to marry her way out of worry, Rosedale became her target. But, surprisingly, Rosedale turned down Lily because she would not be able to further his social standing any longer. He did, however, remind Lily of Mrs. Dorset's letters, the letters that she possessed, and how they could be used against Bertha to regain Lily's social position. Ironically, Rosedale's advice, rather than strengthening Lily's resolve to marry him, turned her away in pursuit of Lawrence Selden! FINALLY! The relationship between Lily and Selden that has been alluded to and then broken apart so many times in the novel will finally come to fruition!
Meanwhile, Gerty Farish, the only person who seems to have Lily's best interest in mind, works to persuade Selden into visiting Lily. Gerty embodies all the characteristics like humility, generosity, kindness, and selflessness that Lily should adopt, so I completely understand her former resentment toward Lily when Selden showed such interest in her. But now, selfless to a fault, Gerty has moved past that and looks to foster a loving relationship between her cousin and Lily. Lily better reward her sidekick later on in the novel; she's been Lily's cornerstone over and over again. Nevertheless, Selden began seeking Lily until he discovered, from a slip of paper, that she was in the "Care of Mrs. Norma Hatch, Emporium Hotel" and responded with a "gesture of disgust with which he tore the paper in two" (Wharton 221). Why is Selden so disturbed by this news and how could it so abruptly turn his renewed affection in Lily to such intense repugnance? I can only hope to find out. What I do know is that, once again, Selden has shown interest in Lily, pursued her, and then inevitably been turned away by some unforgivable action of Lily's. BREAK THE PATTERN LILY!
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| Who is Norma Hatch? Why is Selden so aggravated? |
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