One of the most conspicuous aspects of Edith Wharton’s writing style in The House of Mirth is elaborate syntax. Sentences are often long and are almost always complex, polished, and ornate. Her style mirrors the formality and grandeur of the American upper class in the early 20th century, a time when taste leaned toward the ostentatiously expensive and highly decorated.
The diction used in the novel is elevated, often reflecting the highfalutin speech of the upper class. It’s peppered with allusions and instances of period-specific dialect, painting a realistic picture of the world Wharton describes. This elevated diction is also employed as a part of the satire, as it mimics the pretensions and falsities of the society Wharton critiques. The novel revolves around its sharp social critique. Wharton's structure focuses on highlighting the constraints and limitations of period-specific "good conduct," particularly for women. Her writing is self-conscious and deliberate, reflecting the structured and rigid nature of the society it portrays. It often seems like the narrator is trying very hard to sound clever. An astute reader might observe that this happens most when the characters the narrator is describing are doing the same.
The book is full of funny, mean little quips and jabs made by both the narrator and Wharton's characters. Nobody is safe from these verbal barbs, even people like Lily Bart, Carry Fisher, and Mr. Selden, who are less morally corrupt than their pompous companions. The novel’s pace is slow and measured, incorporating gradual character and plot development and building suspense. This pacing reflects the deliberate and calculated nature of the social maneuverings that make up the majority of the plot of The House Of Mirth.
