The House of Mirth

Protagonist Lily Bart is a beautiful, stylish social climber who longs for security within New York's elite circles. Her charm opens doors, but her fear of poverty drives risky choices and secret letters. As debts mount and reputations fray, she slides from admiration to desperation and addiction.

A principled lawyer and Lily's ideal love, he embodies intellect and restraint. He loves Lily but cannot provide the financial security or social sanction she seeks. Their relationship is tested by social expectations and unspoken realities, ending in poignant separation.

A well-connected socialite and Lily's adviser, Judy wields influence over events to shape Lily's prospects. She champions marriage to wealth while showing little concern for Lily's welfare when stakes rise. Her practical, sometimes ruthless guidance highlights the cost of climbing society.

Judy's husband, a suave yet unscrupulous financier who manipulates Lily with money and promises of reinvestment. His schemes entangle her in debt and scandal. His actions illustrate how financial leverage can corrupt personal ethics.

A prominent socialite whose private indiscretions threaten public perception. She uses the scandalous letters against Lily as leverage while maintaining her own facade of respectability. Bertha embodies the duplicity and ruthlessness of high society.

Bertha's husband, caught in a web of infidelity and social drama. His suspicions and pride fuel confrontations during the yacht cruise and beyond. He embodies the fragility of marital trust amid public scrutiny.

Wealthy financier who represents money's power to reshape social boundaries. He knows about Bertha's letters and uses that knowledge to negotiate Lily's future. His proposals blend affection with strategic calculation.

A handsome, affluent suitor regarded as the perfect match by Lily's circle. His presence contrasts with Lily's longing for Selden, underscoring the tension between romance and social advancement. Gryce's role highlights the pressures of securing a financially advantageous marriage.

Lily's younger cousin, an important ally with hidden ambitions. She inherits a fortune that shifts Lily's options and alters family dynamics. Grace's own vulnerabilities and loyalties complicate the path Lily can take.

Lily's wealthy aunt who funds part of her social access before dying, altering the inheritance balance. Julia's fortune shapes the power dynamics within Lily's family. Her death exposes how quickly financial fortune can shift among relatives.

A socialite who offers Lily shelter during her lowest moments, reflecting both generosity and judgment in upper-class networks. She embodies the fragile support system available outside Lily's core circle. Carry's invitation underscores the precariousness of Lily's social safety net.