The House of Mirth: A Norton Critical Edition (Norton Critical Editions)

“Professor Ammons’ excellent edition is essential for students interested in a contextualized approach to Wharton’s The House of Mirth.” ―Andrew Kopec, Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne

“A staple in my feminist theory and sex-gender courses, this novel provides endless opportunities for discussion of the situation of women, of performing ‘feminine,’ and of the insecurities and dangers for women in a society with limited economic possibilities. This is an excellent edition and I appreciate it.” ―Paula Backscheider, Auburn University

This Norton Critical Edition includes:

• The 1905 book edition of the novel, complete with A. B. Wenzell’s eight original illustrations.
• A preface and explanatory footnotes by Elizabeth Ammons.
• An abundant selection of contextual material, including excerpts from Wharton’s letters, contemporary reviews, six drawings by Charles Dana Gibson, Thorstein Veblen on conspicuous consumption, Charlotte Perkins Gilman on women and economics, and various others writing about women’s place in society at the turn of the century.
• Six modern critical views, considering issues of economics, race, materialism, body image, nature, and feminism within the novel.
• A Chronology and a Selected Bibliography.

About the Series

Read by more than 12 million students over fifty-five years, Norton Critical Editions set the standard for apparatus that is right for undergraduate readers. The three-part format―annotated text, contexts, and criticism―helps students to better understand, analyze, and appreciate the literature, while opening a wide range of teaching possibilities for instructors. Whether in print or in digital format, Norton Critical Editions provide all the resources students need.