The protagonist of the novel, Lily Bart, is a beautifulyoung woman searching for the right husband who will give her themoney and status to remain in upper-class New York social circles.While she has a streak of the romantic in her, her primary focusis on the wealth and social status of potential suitors, and shecasts aside many options, believing she can do better. The novelfollows a two-year period in Lily’s life as she moves from partyto party, struggling to stay within the favor of the wealthy whilemounting larger and larger debts. Unfortunately, her precariousfinancial situation forces her to try some risky investing withthe help of a married man, which ends up backfiring and resultingin her being cast out of the circles she so desperately wishes tojoin. When her family rejects her for the same untrue rumors, Lilyis forced to join the middle class, working as a hat maker. Herslide into poverty and depression continues, and eventually, Lilytakes too large a dose of sleeping medication—perhaps accidentally—anddies in her sleep. Her focus on financial success never allows herto truly consider a marriage to Selden, her truest friend and mostideal match.
