Saw this article in the New York Times about an Edith Wharton letter concerning the end of House of Mirth. I thought Wharton fans might be interested.
Link to NY Times
I'm not sure that the letter does indicate anything about the ending, because writers change their minds all the time. Even if she asked the question intending for Lily to commit suicide, that doesn't mean that, in the end, she decided on something so specific. She might have worked it all through and decided on ambiguity.
That said, I think it was suicide.
It must be exciting to have a letter like that in your first edition.
Link to NY Times
I'm not sure that the letter does indicate anything about the ending, because writers change their minds all the time. Even if she asked the question intending for Lily to commit suicide, that doesn't mean that, in the end, she decided on something so specific. She might have worked it all through and decided on ambiguity.
That said, I think it was suicide.
It must be exciting to have a letter like that in your first edition.
