Good Manners or Bad Manners in The House of Mirth
             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 loved her or despised her for her natural talent to charm and delight her companions. Jealousy turned into bad manners for some. For example, Grace Stepney was Lily's cousin and jealous of Lily's relationship with their Aunt Peniston. To put strain on the relationship Miss Stepney revealed Lily's financial trouble to Miss Peniston. "It is her gambling debts," Miss Stepney told her (131). It is in bad manners to tell of other's personal affairs and Miss Stepney broke that rule to degrade the woman she was so resentful of. She was not the only one to talk bad of Miss Bart. Bertha Dorset was another. Bertha was an evil seed of sorts. She was cheating on her husband
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