The symbolism behind the cigarette is initially revealed when Selden first invites Lily to his home. It is during this scene that “Selden had turned to reach for a cigarette box” and offered a cigarette to Lily (31). As Lily reaches for a cigarette, Selden notes “how evenly the black lashes were set in her smooth white lids, and how the purplish shade between them melted into the pure pallour of the cheek” (31). During the exchange of the cigarette, Selden is face to face with Lily, and admires her beauty to its fullest extent. This image illustrates the closeness and intimacy that is connected with smoking. It is now that Lily’s “expression changes to active conjecture [as] she turns to Selden with

a question” (32). Lily asks Selden about Americana and “whether the Jefferson Gryce collection was really considered the finest in the world” (32). Since they are in this intimate-like moment as they smoke, Lily is able to extract information from Selden in order to prepare herself with her upcoming conversation with Gryce. The comfort and flirtation behind the cigarette has opened a door in Selden, so that Lily can enter freely and grasp all the information she requires.

Gus Trenor invites Lily to his home, making it seem like Judy Trenor has sent for her. Once she arrives it is obvious that Gus wants sexual favors for the “five thousand dollars he had made for her” (97). It is at this point that Gus Trenor gives Lily a cigarette and she “chucks it away” (145). By rejecting the cigarette, Lily is showing that she has no desire to share any form of flirtation or intimacy with him. She is very moral person and has a great amount of pride. “She was indebted to Gus Trenor” (118) and “it was distasteful to hear her name coupled with Trenor’s” (121). Once she realizes Trenor’s purpose, she decides to pay him back so that she could pull away from her relations with him. She is not like the other characters illustrated in the book. Lily goes through great pains to remain moral and do what she feels is right. This is significant in illustrating one of Lily’s greatest flaws. It is by chucking away the cigarette that she throws away the life that she is longing for. The life that comes with money in her society comes with a price of corruption. It is impossible to get the best of both worlds in the position that she is in. She must pick between t

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