In her book Edith Wharton's Women author Susan Goodman writes that Lily suspects "…not much separates the business of marriage from the business of prostitution" (Goodman, 49-50); still, Lily is aware that a prostitute sells "her time, not her soul" -- which Lily has been asked to do. Goodman claims that Lily has a certain "moral appeal" which springs from her "persistent refusal to define herself as a commodity…" (p. 50). Moreover, Lily, according to Goodman's analysis, knows that "the ladylike barter she must effect" (to get the right wealthy man in marriage) "would necessitate her giving up the little sense of self she possesses"; and that for Lily is "a form of living suicide to which she cannot contract" (Goodman p. 50).

Every step that Lily takes up the "social ladder" brings her increasing awareness that "respectable women maintain their honored position because other women are exploited," Goodman writes...
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