Francis Scott Fitzgerald and Edith Wharton are the authors of novels set in America in the early 19th century. In This Side of Paradise and The House of Mirth, the authors describe the protagonists as imprisoned. This is a critique of the society they live in and is represented in the authors' use of imagery, characterization, and the motif of social status. Wharton uses a lot of imagery to reflect the imprisoned Lily Bart, while Fitzgerald uses less imagery. to describe Amory's predicament but still has his prisoner character. In The House of Mirth, Lily is depicted by Selden wearing bracelets that act as chains: "[Lily] was so obviously the victim of the civilization that had produced her, that the links of her bracelet seemed like handcuffs to the chained to his destiny. » (Wharton 6). Wharton's depiction of Lily, associated with the simile, as chained to a society, continues throughout the novel, as she is seen as a slave by the upper class. Wharton's criticism lies in Lily's character: she is authentic, living in a world of fakes. However, Lily cannot escape because she was raised to live in a deceptive society. This imprisonment in a caustic world for a substantial prisoner is the force that drives Lily to her death, Wharton's representation of the fate of those who cannot achieve what is accepted. In This Side of Paradise, Amory reflects on the plan of life for Princeton's new students: Here is a new generation, shouting the old cries, learning the old creed, through reverie of long days and long nights; destined finally to go out into this dirty gray turmoil to follow love and pride; a new generation dedicated more than the previous one to the fear of poverty and the cult of success; grew up...... middle of paper ...... ief that a place in the aristocracy is more primordial than love. Fitzgerald's criticism lies in the sense that there can be neither love nor money; either money exists in a person's life or love exists. Wharton and Fitzgerald believe that for the aristocracy there is a choice, and it is with this choice that their critics align. This Side of Paradise, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and The House of Mirth, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Edith Wharton, both contain their authors' criticisms of society. This criticism manifests itself in the imprisonment of the main characters throughout the novels. This criticism is visible in the imagery, characterization, and motif of the importance of the authors' social status. Works Cited Fitzgerald, F. Scott. This side of paradise. Lexington: np, 2014. Print. Wharton, Edith. The house of joy. New York: Bantam, 1986. Print.