The House of Mirth
The central theme of "The House of Mirth" is essentially "the struggle between who we are and what society tells us we should be". Thus, it is considered by many to be as relevant today as it was in 1905. If its sole subject had been the excesses and lives of the rich and famous, by themselves, it is doubtful it would have remained popular for as long as it has. "The House of Mirth" continues to attract readers over a century after its first publication, possibly due to its timeless theme. That the life and death of Lily Bart matters to modern readers suggests that Wharton succeeded in her purpose: to critique "a society so relentlessly materialistic and self-serving that it casually destroys what is most beautiful and blameless within it."
Bart's Not Dead
Bart Simpson gets dared to pull the fire alarm, but he declines. The following day, Marge Simpson is proud of him, but Homer Simpson tells him to take a dare like a man. At Echo Canyon, Nelson, Jimbo, Dolph, and Kearney dare him to jump off the dam, which Bart does ending face first on concrete. Ending up at Springfield General Hospital, Bart wakes up and in order to not disappoint Marge he creates a lie that he saw Heaven. Bart slowly becomes popular. Christian movie producers come to the house to present Homer and Bart the opportunity to make a movie about his experience. Homer and Ned Flanders are forced to work together on the movie, including interviewing Emily Deschanel and Gal Gadot. The movie starts recording, and Bart starts getting worried and having nightmares. He ends up in Heaven in a nightmare, where he meets Jesus Christ. The movie, titled "Bart's Not Dead", finally premieres, and is a hit. After, Bart finally confesses to Marge and Lisa Simpson. Homer and Ned give the raised money to charity and all is forgiven.