Introduction
Charlotte Temple and Lily Bart, two vastly different girls with fates so strangely similar.
Who could blame them for their unfortunate ends?
The works Charlotte Temple and House of Mirth, two of America's most beloved bestsellers,
are both set in different time periods, both with characters that have different upbringings and are overall,
polar opposites of one another. Yet, these two protagonists have more in common that one might think.
This path will take a look at the two texts, examining the portrayal of the main female characters
and ultimately their roles in their societies. Despite the fact that
both novels have greatly contrasting elements, there are still parallels
and conceptions about women that appear to be instilled in society no matter the period.
The basis of our argument is how the perception of women in society and their "default"
status, no matter the time period they lived in, ages, personalities, experiences, and so on, will always
be of a “doomed” victim. Ultimately, society’s expectations and narrow views
set up women to place their fates in the hands of anyone and everyone but themselves.
Part one: Female Relationships - Split into two parts, this section inspects how Charlotte and Lily's
relationships with other women in their lives could be a factor that lead them to their doom.
Part two: Appearance and Reputation - This section then discusses how the societal perception of protagonists of
the novels affects their reputation.
Part three: Pity for the Doomed Girl - Examining the idea of pity and how it plays in to the perception of
women in society, this section argues that the female protagonists take on value only when they are to be pitied.
