The House of Mirth

Lily Bart, a product of New York City's high society, navigates the pressures of wealth and social expectations while facing her own financial ruin and gambling debts. As an unmarried woman, she grapples with her identity and the harsh realities of a society that values materialism over personal worth. Wharton's narrative explores themes of class, gender, and the destructive nature of societal norms, ultimately revealing the tragic consequences of a life spent in pursuit of status and security.