Chapters 1-4

1. How does Mr. Selden view Lily Bart? What are her appealing qualities? What prevents him from trying to establish a closer connection with her?

2. How does Lily Bart view Rosedale? What makes him so unappealing to her?

3. What are Lily Bart's goals as stated in the first few chapters of the novel? What motivates her to do what she does?

4. Describe the relationship between Lily's mother and father. What was the main conflict between them?

5. Why does Lily Bart consider herself to be such a failure?