Quote 1
Society
is a revolving body which is apt to be judged according to its place
in each man’s heaven; and at present it was turning its illuminated
face to Lily.
This observation, from Book One, Chapter
Four, shows Lily at the height of her confidence in searching for
a husband. She has just finished laying what she believes will be
the groundwork for making Percy Gryce, an extremely wealthy but
socially awkward bachelor, want to marry her. Lily is indeed basking
in the glow of social success, feeling the attention of others and
the much-desired success in finding a potential husband whose wealth
would give her security and stability. She has pushed her romantic
ideas about love and her relationship with Selden from her mind
and has made the logical, calculated decision to pursue Gryce. This
decision makes her feel as though she is in control and winning
the game of manipulation and artifice that is upper class socializing.
Unfortunately, just as society is at this moment turning “its illuminated
face” to her, it will also continue to revolve, taking its glorious
light elsewhere and leaving Lily in the dark. This passage and others
contribute to the idea that perhaps Lily has little control over
her existence, and that larger forces—such as fate or luck—might
be more influential in determining the outcome of the story.
