Edith Wharton discussion

The story remarks since Harney showed up and showed interest in the Mountain and the old houses of Dormer, Charity has suddenly become "interesting to herself". Although she still hates the mountain, she is, as if waking from a sleep, beginning to ask questions about her own past and herself in the world. Let's talk about Harney's influence on Charity. WHat's his charm?

OK slow pokes, what about being a man from the Big City? He has the power of knowledge and travel.

Of course that. And it seemed like he was really the only thing worth being interested in where she was. I think she was ready to come out of her shell and he helped her do it. She felt more alive when he was around.

He was barely there... he's a ghost or idea in the story - as much of a "theme" as the mountain - and I think much of him is made from Charity's idea of city men and his particular details were only to enhance that. Charity doesn't see the things she doesn't like - his Character (moral) isn't strong enough to stand up to Charity's very high expectations.

She thinks he's different than everybody else in Dormer, but Charity's the special one. He can't even make up his mind what he wants, while she knows what drives them both.

What do people think about her moment at his window, when she sees him and knows she could go in, she knows what he would do, but she chooses to back away from the window. What does this say about Charity's feelings towards him and towards their relationship?

Hello, Michaela. So, I'm two years late to the discussion, but just finished the book today. I think Charity's character is so vital and self-absorbed and alive that the other characters barely penetrate. They only seem to exist when she's focused on them. When summer is gone (and presumably that rush of youth and life from her), she fades enough to herself that she can see other people.

This is over a year after the last comment about Lucius Harney so don't know if anyone's still looking at this blog. I just wanted to say I appreciate all your comments. I downloaded all of Edith Wharton's novels onto my Kindle for 99 cents, and I'm having a great time. Haven't finished Summer yet, but very much enjoying it. A memorable thing about Lucius - he bends Charity's head back like a flower. She is like a flower to him and I remember the moment when a delicate flower was crushed underfoot by an unaware mountain man. That is so symbolic of Charity's innocence and trust.