The Book of Mirth: Book 1 XV

In the last section of Book 1 of Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth Lily tries to make amends with her aunt and finds her self stood up by Seldon and receives a marriage proposal from Rosedale.  Lily is like the main character in the play Oedipus.  She admits to her aunt about her debts.  She also tells her aunt of her gambling with cards, even on Sundays.  Her aunt only agrees to pay off her clothing debts and is still furious with her.  Like Oedipus, she admits her faults and finds herself in more trouble.  Oedipus' trouble was his own fate, suicide.

"Mrs. Peniston raised her hand warningly.  'You needn't make any promises: it's unnecessary.  When I offered you a home I didn't undertake to pay your gambling debts,' " (Wharton, 140).

 This relates to Oedipus because she continues to get herself into trouble even when she admitted her wrongs.  Hopefully Lily will be able to right her wrongs and not upset her aunt anymore.  Avoiding Oedipus' fate would be in her best interest.