Chapters VII & VIII

The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
(pgs. 60-79) Chapters VII & VIII

Miss Lily Bart continues to contemplate a solution to pay off her debts in this segment of The House of Mirth. She faces debts from Bellmont and needs quick relief. Luckily, Mrs. Trenor told Lily to pick up Gus Trenor, Mrs. Trenor's husband. Miss Bart found the perfect opportunity to borrow money. Despite his pugness and his massive body, which evoked a repulsive reflex, Lily strategically persuaded him to let her borrow money. Moreover, Gus Trenor decided to put her borrowed money into a stock so she will not be completely dependent on him. Money relieves Lily of stress and boosts her self-confidence, "The first thousand-dollar cheque which Lily received with a blotted scrawl from Gus Trenor strengthened her self-confidence in the exact degree to which it effaced her debts," (Wharton, 69). Lily is now in debt to Mr. Trenor, which holds some consequences that could detrement her future. Gus desperately wants Miss Bart to be friends with Mr. Rosedale, an intrusive and obnoxious man. No one thinks highly of him and people look down on him, even though he will be incredibly rich. Because Miss Bart is in debt to Gus, she must act as Mr. Rosedale's acquiantance. Gus Trenor holds Miss Lily's future in terms of money in his hands. If Lily disappoints him or does not give Mr. Trenor what he wants, things could get ugly.