

#6067
Mentioned in 8 episodes
House of Mirth
Book • 1908
Edith Wharton's "House of Mirth" is a classic novel of American literature that explores themes of social class, ambition, and the constraints placed upon women in the Gilded Age. The story follows Lily Bart, a beautiful and charming young woman who struggles to navigate the complexities of New York high society.
Wharton's writing is characterized by its sharp wit and social commentary, creating a compelling and thought-provoking narrative.
The novel's exploration of themes of wealth, power, and the hypocrisy of social conventions is both timely and relevant.
The characters are richly drawn and unforgettable, their flaws and vulnerabilities making them all the more human and relatable.
The novel's tragic ending is both heartbreaking and unforgettable, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
Wharton's writing is characterized by its sharp wit and social commentary, creating a compelling and thought-provoking narrative.
The novel's exploration of themes of wealth, power, and the hypocrisy of social conventions is both timely and relevant.
The characters are richly drawn and unforgettable, their flaws and vulnerabilities making them all the more human and relatable.
The novel's tragic ending is both heartbreaking and unforgettable, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
Mentioned by










Mentioned in 8 episodes
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

when discussing the portrayal of gossip in Wharton's novels, contrasting the destructive impact in "The House of Mirth" with the more defiant attitude in "The Custom of the Country".

Naomi Fry

20 snips
Gossip, Then and Now
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in discussing debates about the book’s antisemitism and portrayal of Simon Rosedale.

Naomi Kanakia

15 snips
Naomi Kanakia: How Great Are the Great Books?
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as one of the books assigned to the students in his class.

Carlo Rotella

13 snips
Carlo Rotella, "What Can I Get Out of This?: Teaching and Learning in a Classroom Full of Skeptics" (U California Press, 2025)
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as a novel featuring a character who engages in hypergamy, exploring themes of social class and marriage.

Meghan Daum

A Life Without Children - Meghan Daum | Maiden Mother Matriarch Episode 119
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as a novel with subtle eroticism in the interplay between characters.

Mary Gaitskill

Mary Gaitskill on Subjects That Are Vexing Everybody
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as a slow-burn classic with a thrilling climax.

Gregg Rosenthal

Don’t Throw The Controller
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as not being as good as The Custom of the Country.


A. Natasha Joukovsky

Books That Matter: A. Natasha Joukovsky on EVELINA by Frances Burney
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as one of the books written by Edith Wharton.


Jim Endersby

Jim Endersby, "The Arrival of the Fittest: Biology's Imaginary Futures, 1900-1935" (U Chicago Press, 2025)
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as a book assigned in his class, though disliked by many students.

Carlo Rotella

Carlo Rotella, "What Can I Get Out of This?: Teaching and Learning in a Classroom Full of Skeptics" (U California Press, 2025)
Mentioned as an assigned reading, hated by many students because of its 19th-century diction.

Carlo Rotella, "What Can I Get Out of This?: Teaching and Learning in a Classroom Full of Skeptics" (U California Press, 2025)


