Throughout The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton uses many themes and motifs; the game being dominant. Lily Bart constantly tests her luck with her need to feel like she has the upper hand in many situations. Lily always seems to discard winning cards because she thinks she will have a better hand in the next round. Many readers might think that Lily is simply a carefree, self-centered, money-hungry tease. She could very well be all of these things; However, I believe this is all due to her gaming addiction. The game gives Lily the excitement she needs in her boring upper-class life, which has taught her to be cool, calm and collected – the face poker game perfect for hiding your addiction. Lily Bart's incessant addiction to gambling with money, men, and her own life ultimately leads to her demise. At first, Lily is hesitant to play Bridge with the group of socialites she belongs to. She remembers Ned Silverton battling a gambling addiction when he was younger: “Lily had seen his charming eyes change from surprise to amusement, and from amusement to anxiety; while he came under the spell of the terrible god of chance” (26). Lily knows that playing among the rich isn't something she can afford, and she doesn't want to end up like Ned Silverton's sisters without sugar for her tea. After all, how could she do without the fancy things she's used to? Wharton writes, “but she knew that the passion for the game was upon her, and in her present environment there was little hope of resisting it” (27). Lily is well aware of the repercussions of addiction. However, his addictive behaviors allow him to give in to temptation and she begins to gamble his money, y...... middle of paper ...... he trembled in fear and anger - the beating of the wings of the furies was in his ears. She paced the room with blind, irregular steps. The last door of escape was closed…” (p. 173). It's the beginning of the end for Lily. His mind is constantly racing; she becomes insomniac and starts taking sleeping pills; which is a clear sign of addictive behavior, as addicts will do anything they can to satisfy their addiction. “She had long since increased the dose to its highest limit, but tonight she felt she had to increase it. She knew that she was taking a slight risk in doing so: she remembered the pharmacist's warning” (p. 322). Chloral satisfied his addiction because it was definitely a high-stakes gamble; a bet she is willing to lose. Her final bet is a bet that ends up killing her. Works Cited Wharton, Edith. The house of joy. Penguin Classics, 1993