Work and Drugs (Pages 221-241)

In this new portion of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, Miss Bart finally seems to be doing something right in my opinion. She is not just wasting her life spending money and growing old, but instead works two different jobs and begins to see how the real world is spent. By working I see a growth in Miss Bart. She now seems more open when she is actually with other people and seems to feels the pressures of everyday life. She is open with the people that she knows and I saw this when she spoke with Rosedale so open and honestly. Maybe now she will be able to stop herself from the occasional lying and instead be truthful with all of the people that she needs to be. Miss Bart begins to feel the real pressures of the world by taking this sleeping medication. Just like everyone today drinks or smokes, Miss Bart is taking her own drug of choice and realizes that the real living is not quite as easy as it would seem. I foresee an overdose because of the precaution that the doctor gave to her as this medicine was so strong a dose. Maybe she will be clever and kill someone with it instead, I guess I can only read on and find out. My hope was inspired when the clerk at the drug store said, "A drop or two more, and off you go-the doctors don't know why"(Page 234).