Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth is definitely a book of manners. Manners in this Good Manners or Bad Manners in The House of Mirth sense relate to being kind and considerate to fellow human beings and following the social practices of the day. She articulately illustrates elite high-class characters that build their lives and reputations on the basis of appropriate manners. In their world one must know what to say or do or be at the right moment otherwise, face consequences of degradation and humiliation brought on by so-called friends. But even the elite class, which is well known for excellent social skills, does not always have perfect manners. In fact, Lily Bart's destiny rested in the hands of individuals that practiced little or no manners at all. At times, she even lost sight of right and wrong. In this book, good manners are a facade that hide the bad-mannered, uncaring faces beneath.

Miss Bart's livelihood depended on her renowned social flair. Her manners and beauty gave her a seat at some of the wealthiest tables in the world. She awed onlookers into a state of extreme love and adornment for her or into fits of jealousy. They either love

pity for her limitations and impatience at her cheerful acceptance of them"(99). Although nobody saw these feelings emerge, they were still there and they were still in bad manner. Lily didn't know how to be grateful for the simple things in life. She felt it was okay to think degradingly towards those who helped her most. These mannerisms were a part of Lily since day one, her mother instilled them and Lily never found the strength to break them. She was bred to take advantage when she could and it was by her own accord when she decided to be true and genuine.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

nd then to hide her affair she began making accusations about Miss Bart. As Lily states of Bertha, " She said I was trying to marry George Dorset" (214). Bertha, being at the top of the elite, could not stand to see Lily do good and therefore covered her own back and destroyed Lily's reputation at the same time. If Bertha's husband and fellow peers knew of the atrocities she had committed, she would be reduced to nothing. The point is that although the wealthy in this novel should follow good manners they don't, given that the urge to boost their self-esteem by making others look bad is a priority over everything including manners.

Some common words found in the essay are:
George Dorset, Wharton Lily's, House Mirth, Gerty Farish, Miss Bart, Miss Bart's, Miss Stepney, Lily Bart's, Dorset Bertha, Stepney Lily's, bad manners, miss bart, house mirth, miss stepney, manners house mirth, book manners, manners manners, gerty farish, manners bad, manners house, manners bad manners, bad manners house, manners lily,
Approximate Word count = 877
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)