The House of Mirth: Book I XIV-XV

Toward the end of Book I in Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth, the point of view switches to a minor character, Miss Gerty Farish. Gerty appears polar opposite in Lily in terms of personality and appearence. However, the two share a few important similarities. Both suffer lonliness, and both are in love with Lawrence Selden. Although Lily has mentioned Gerty's upstanding character, it is shown to the reader when Gerty accepts Lily into her house and comforts her, despite feelings of amnosity toward her. It did not matter to Gerty that she was just left heartbroken and that Lily had indirectly (or possibly directly) caused it. Instead, Gerty pushed aside her hurt and rushed to help her friend. The same could not be said for Lily, who barely mentions Gerty in a positive light until she hits rock bottem and seeks Gerty out for solice. Lily also fails to notice her friend's suffering, as she is too caught up in her how drama. Despite all this, Gerty sacrafices her own happiness and encourages Lily to seek out Selden, stating that "She could not put him before herself in any light but the noblest" (Wharton, 136). Lily Bart may be the protagonist, but Gerty Farish is the real heroine.