The House of Mirth: some random thoughts

1/ The House of Mirth has a range of interesting male characters. 
Gus Trenor and George Dorset are well-drawn, especially the latter. When was the last time I encountered such a weak, pathetic, and spineless man in fiction? The way he stays up all night to wait for his wife returning from another man, then collapses and feels sorry for himself, or the way he comes to ask Lily for help, after doing nothing to help or defend her, is so pathetic, and it’s all so vivid. 
The most fascinating male character in the book is Simon Rosedale, the Jew. I’m aware that Edith Wharton’s description of him is tinted with anti-Semitism, but in spite of it, the character is complex and becomes more humane throughout the story. He might be said to be better than most of the people in the book (apart from Gerty Farish). 
Look at the scene where Lily Bart, after the disgrace, hopes Rosedale still wants to marry her: 

“He met this with a steady gaze of his small stock-taking eyes, which made her feel herself no more than some superfine human merchandise. "I believe it does in novels; but I'm certain it don't in real life. You know that as well as I do: if we're speaking the truth, let's speak the whole truth. Last year I was wild to marry you, and you wouldn't look at me: this year—well, you appear to be willing. Now, what has changed in the interval? Your situation, that's all. Then you thought you could do better; now——"
"You think you can?" broke from her ironically.
"Why, yes, I do: in one way, that is."” (B.2, ch.7) 

He explains in more detail. Then: 

“She received this with a look from which all tinge of resentment had faded. After the tissue of social falsehoods in which she had so long moved it was refreshing to step into the open daylight of an avowed expediency.” (ibid.) 

Out of all the characters, including Lawrence Selden, Rosedale is the most honest. He’s a social climber, but he’s perfectly frank about who he is and what he wants. Rosedale’s brutally honest when proposing marriage to Lily, presenting it as a transaction, a win-win situation, without attempting to sugar-coat it in corny expressions. He’s brutally honest when rejecting her, but also presents to her the different options and how the choice he persuades her to take would benefit them both. 
Place him next to Selden—Selden may, in some way, understand Lily better because he, up to a point, still believes in a nobility in her, whereas Rosedale sees everything as a transaction and doesn’t understand that Lily is sick of high society and doesn’t want to blackmail Bertha Dorset. However, Rosedale is the one who tries to help and provides with practical solutions, the one who tries to and can save her from destitution, the one who is open and frank but also shows a tenderness when Lily’s reduced to living in a boarding house and working at a milliner’s. Selden often hides behind a light-hearted tone, and runs away. 
Of course, I’m not saying that Lily should listen to Rosedale’s suggestion and marry him—he’s not right for her. I’m just saying that he loves her, and tries to help, in his way, whereas Selden runs away like a coward. 

2/ I wonder why The Great Gatsby is much more acclaimed than The House of Mirth. 
Both novels are about a character chasing false values, getting disillusioned, and having a tragic end. Both novels dissect the rich and explore their hypocrisy and rottenness, except that Edith Wharton has a colder, harder tone, her characters are more calculating and ruthless, treating each other like disposables. The House of Mirth, in addition, examines the conditions of women, having limited options and being brought up to be ornamental. 
I used to have a Fitzgerald phase, but The House of Mirth is a greater novel, and Edith Wharton’s writing is much better.  

3/ It’s always nice to discover another writer to like. 
I’m reading The Custom of the Country, another book by Edith Wharton.