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| Bertha Dorset: Antagonist Extraordinaire
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After reading chapters one and
two of book two in Edith Wharton’s novel,
The
House of Mirth, I believe that the true antagonist of the book has been
revealed. Although other characters have created problems for Lily Bart, Bertha
Dorset is undeniably the most vindictive towards her. Constantly sabotaging or threatening
Lily, Bertha has intentionally damaged her reputation many times in the past,
and yet once again in these chapters. Lily eventually discovered that Bertha
had only invited her to join the Dorsets on a cruise to provide a distraction
for her husband, as she had been having an affair with Ned Silverton. When an
incident occurs and George Dorset discovers his wife’s infidelity, Bertha turns
the situation around on Lily, closing the door on her own mistakes and opening
another on Lily’s blunders. Bertha blamed her for accompanying her own husband
at night while she was off with Ned, causing unsavory rumors towards the
relationship between Lily and Mr. Dorset. Bertha exclaimed to an irritated Lily,
“I didn’t understand that one of my negative duties was not to warn you when
you carried your imprudence too far,” (Wharton, 168). Throughout the entirety
on the novel, Bertha, a clever manipulator, has avoided shame and disgrace by
turning any attention away from herself and onto another scandal, regardless of
whether she has to craft a story or simply remind everyone of another’s fault. Furthermore,
Bertha’s antagonistic characteristics shine through as she attacks those who
are after something she wants. Rather like a child who does not get her way,
Bertha retaliates in a violent fashion, seeking destruction on her opponent.
She also gains pleasure from the pain of her victims, as portrayed by Lily in “the
impenetrable insolence of Bertha’s smile,” (Wharton, 168). This attitude of
superiority and disrespect for others had instilled fear in Lily, as she was
well aware that her reputation was on the line with any mistake she made.
Because of her cleverly crafted schemes, her despicable attitude towards and
treatment of others, and her disrespect towards dignity, Bertha excels as an
antagonist.
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