Jack Stepney Character Analysis in The House of Mirth

Lily Bart’s cousin, Jack Stepney proves a shrewd social observer and just as capable of social calculation as Lily when he foresees that Simon Rosedale will become an important member of high society. When Lily sees him with his future wife Gwen Van Osburgh, she realizes that he is in a similar situation as her, since he is marrying for money and is bound to live a life that will bore him.

Jack Stepney Character Timeline in The House of Mirth

The timeline below shows where the character Jack Stepney appears in The House of Mirth. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...feels satisfied by her slow progress in seducing Percy Gryce. When she sees her cousin Jack Stepney with Gwen Van Osburgh, she realizes that their situation is similar to hers: Gwen... (full context)

A few weeks later, at Jack Stepney and Miss Van Osburgh’s wedding, Lily feels jealous, arguing that she should be the... (full context)

In the meantime, after Jack and Grace Stepney’s honeymoon, Mrs. Peniston decides to organize a dinner at her own house.... (full context)

...York. However, as he walks around, he runs into Carry Fisher, who is accompanied by Jack Stepney and his wife Gwen, Louisa Bry, and Lord Hubert Dacey, who talk about the... (full context)

...mad at him for his prolonged silence. Selden advises her to go to her cousins Jack Stepney and his wife Gwen, although Lily dreads Gwen’s reaction. However, Selden insists and Lily... (full context)