Judy Trenor Character Analysis in The House of Mirth

Characterized by a sincere enjoyment of her duties as a hostess and a concern for people to enjoy themselves at her parties, Judy Trenor initially appears to be one of Lily Bart’s most reliable friends, as she actively helps Lily in her effort to seduce Percy Gryce. However, Judy is also highly sensitive to financial matters, such as women borrowing money from her husband Gus Trenor, and later punishes Lily for doing so by rejecting her from her social circle. Judy is also a keen social observer, and admits that she only accepts Bertha Dorset’s friendship because she knows it is better to keep potentially dangerous people on one’s side instead of antagonizing them.

Judy Trenor Character Timeline in The House of Mirth

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

...proceeds to explain that she is on her way to Bellomont, where their mutual friends Judy and Gus Trenor are organizing a party. Having just missed her train and waiting for... (full context)

...dollars at bridge, whereas women who do not need it, such as Bertha Dorset and Judy Trenor, left the bridge table with hundreds of dollars. Lily finds this situation unfair and... (full context)

The next morning at Bellomont, the hostess, Judy Trenor, sends Lily a message asking her if she can come down by ten to... (full context)

When Judy Trenor sees Lily, she shows no visible sign of recognition of Lily’s services, which irritates... (full context)

Mrs. Trenor , who deeply enjoys her function as hostess and takes this role seriously, is agitated... (full context)

As Lily tries to help Judy Trenor with her massive correspondence, Mrs. Trenor complains about Lady Cressida Raith, who is religiously... (full context)

Lily and Judy then discuss Percy Gryce, whom Judy invited on purpose for Lily. Judy tells Lily that... (full context)

When Judy says she might call Lawrence Selden to make sure he comes, Lily blushes and says... (full context)

The next morning, Judy Trenor scolds Lily for letting herself be seen coming back from her walk with Selden.... (full context)

...feels pained to think about how much money she has lost by letting Gryce leave. Mrs. Trenor then asks Lily if she can go pick up her husband, Gus Trenor, because she... (full context)

...him up, he feels relieved and the two of them laugh about the fact that Judy has forced Lily to come. Gus is glad to note that Lily seems interested in... (full context)

...investment is bearing its fruits. She recalls the end of her stay at Bellomont, when Judy expressed her gratitude for Lily and Gus’s friendship, since Gus’s stories are so tedious. Judy... (full context)

During the autumn, Lily receives various letters from Judy Trenor inviting her to Bellomont, but Lily refuses to go. At the same time, she... (full context)

Lily, who has not received any more invitations from Judy to join them at Bellomont, wonders if Judy might have learned of the rumors concerning... (full context)

The next day, Lily receives a note from Judy Trenor asking to dine together, as well as a note from Selden asking if they... (full context)

After dinner, Lily goes to Judy Trenor’s house, where Gus, not Judy, opens the door. Lily is surprised to note that... (full context)

...runs into Gus Trenor, who tries to convince Selden to dine with him, complaining that Judy has not come to town and that he does not want to dine alone. However,... (full context)

...her. When someone mentions that Lily has gone to Mrs. Trenor’s, Mrs. Stepney notes that Judy is still in Bellomont, which causes everyone to wonder silently, with amused smiles, if Lily... (full context)

...discuss Wellington and Louisa Bry’s efforts at social climbing. However, when they approach Gus and Judy Trenor’s house, the two of them see a dark figure hurrying to a cab, while... (full context)

Lily nevertheless decides to stay in New York, hoping that Judy Trenor at least might show some kindness toward her. However, when she comes across a... (full context)