Chapter XV (pgs. 136-146)
Wharton reveals Miss Bart to be a round and dynamic characer by depicting her complex and deep feelings and how her experiences and interactions with the other characters have changed her. Lily Bart is efflicted with hard-bearing internal and external conflicts. The internal conflicts she faces include love verses money and reputation vs happiness. Although the internal conflicts have been her primary struggle thus far, Lily has a pressing external conflict as well, which is the debt to Gus Trenor, who has put Lily in a terrible situation. He is "crazy" about Miss Bart and he lent her his money with the expectation of being a close friend of Lily's in return. Since Lily did not fulfill his wish, he had an explosion. Their friendly relationship is now destroyed and has left Lily to pay him nine thousand dollars.
Lily's beauty is her most dominant trait. She utilizes it for power and persuasion upon men. Despite not being wealthy, Lily is accepted into the rich society because of her seductive beauty. Her relationship with Selden continues to blossom as she comes in touch with her feelings for him. Moreover, he is her only hope, "But now his love was her only hope, and as she sat alone with her wretchedness the thought of confiding in him became as seductive as the river's flow to the suicide," (Wharton, 141). Lily and Selden's relationship transcended after their bewitching kiss atthe Bry's. They both have been thirsting to see each other, but they have had some miscommunications.
Gerty Farish, Mr. Selden's cousin, has grown to be one of Lily's closest friends. Going with Gerty to one of her missionaries has provided Lily with the feeling of satisfaction after helping someone in need.
Lily faces difficult times ahead under the circumstances that have come over her. Hopefully, Lily will learn that she does not need money to be happy, she only needs love.
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