20 January 2012

Well Said: Lily Bart

Manhattan debutante turned silent-movie actress Katherine Harris Barrymore (1891-1927). She portrayed Lily Bart in director Albert Capellani's 1918 film of "The House of Mirth."

"If only I could do over my aunt's drawing-room, I know I should be a better woman."

So said Lily Bart, tragic heroine of Edith Wharton's 1905 novel The House of Mirth.
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11 comments:

  1. Anonymous20 January, 2012 09:39

    Such a sad story, but "The House of Mirth" is one of my favorite books.

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  2. The Down East Dilettante20 January, 2012 12:59

    Forever one of my favorite lines from one of my favorite books. One can't but identify with a heroine disturbed by the wrong decor.

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  3. Unknown20 January, 2012 14:28

    This book is such a devastation for me. When I read it at school it felt like Mrs. Wharton was showing me how my life would all play out. Little did I know...

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  4. P.Gaye Tapp at Little Augury21 January, 2012 22:08

    be still my heart! the Aesthete Reigns. pgt
    word verification "outweep"

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  5. home before dark22 January, 2012 12:12

    One of my favorites as well. So many life lessons.

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  6. coupon code22 January, 2012 23:10

    Hi
    Well Said: Lily Bart
    This can be 1 of the top blogs I've actually arrive throughout on this subject.I liked this blog post.
    thank you

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  7. Washington Cube24 January, 2012 20:50

    Probably the most heartbreaking of Warton's books (and characters,) and she was a woman who knew. I have re-written Lily's fate many times in my head.

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  8. the modern sybarite ™27 January, 2012 04:01

    .. and a better man!

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  9. lamb and blonde03 February, 2012 04:40

    A wonderful quote from one of my favourite books. I had forgotten that line. I remember having such thoughts, as a little girl, when visiting my aunts.

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  10. Durai20 February, 2012 07:34

    Very nice, Really looking great....

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  11. Anonymous02 March, 2012 20:39

    I remember as a little girl having the same thoughts about LOTS of rooms of my relatives and friends.

    Guess what? I still do!!! Good grief! I just turned 65!!!

    And I hope I always will!

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"An Aesthete's Lament" looks forward to your comments, whether good or ill. Personal attacks, however, will be deleted without a moment's hesitation.