Edith Wharton’s description of the protagonist in her novel The Age of Innocence, published in 1920, unveils the significant influence of the small New York City society the author grew up in. Having lived in New York of the Gilded Age, Wharton provides a rich description of the life of the upper class in The Age of Innocence—and contrasts this life to the European society she had encountered during her numerous travels. The story of Newland Archer, a young lawyer from a respected upper-class family, who is torn between marrying his betrothed May Welland and thereby following society’s expectations and entering into a relationship with her cousin, Ellen Olenska, and with that superordinate his personal happiness, won Edith Wharton a Pulitzer Prize in 1921. In The Age of Innocence, Newland Archer’s life is predestined by the enclosed society of New York City which finds expression in his eventual decision to marry May Welland, separate with Ellen Olenska who transgresses the boundaries of this society, and feeling misplaced as the world familiar to him approaches change.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Impact of Old New York Society on Newland Archer
- 2.1 A Seemingly Perfect Couple: Archer's Marriage with May
- 2.2 Society's Boundaries: Ellen Olenska as the “polluting Force”
- 2.3 The “Vanished America”: Wharton's Depiction of Old Newland Archer
- 3. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This preview aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence, focusing on the impact of Old New York society on the protagonist, Newland Archer. It analyzes the novel's depiction of societal structures, rituals, and dynamics, exploring how these elements shape individual choices and relationships.
- The influence of Old New York society on individual lives and choices.
- The tension between individual freedom and societal expectations.
- The role of rituals and conventions in maintaining social order.
- The portrayal of societal hypocrisy and its impact on personal relationships.
- Wharton's depiction of social change and the disintegration of traditional society.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces Newland Archer, the protagonist of Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence, and establishes the novel's central theme: the profound influence of Old New York society on individual lives. Wharton's own experiences in Gilded Age New York are highlighted as crucial to understanding the novel's context. The chapter also briefly outlines the plot, focusing on Archer's internal conflict between societal expectations and personal desires, and introduces key scholarly works that inform the analysis of the novel's themes. The introduction lays the groundwork for exploring how societal structures and conventions shape Archer's life and ultimately lead to his choices.
2. The Impact of Old New York Society on Newland Archer: This chapter delves into the intricate ways in which Old New York society shapes Newland Archer's life and decisions. It examines the societal rituals, group dynamics, and established values that govern the lives of the upper class, using examples from the novel to illustrate the restrictive nature of this environment. The chapter explores the seemingly arbitrary yet deeply ingrained conventions that Archer must navigate, highlighting the tension between individual agency and collective expectations. It also analyzes the ways in which this society both maintains order and simultaneously masks a deeper sense of isolation and incompleteness.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Old New York society, Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence, Newland Archer, societal conventions, rituals, group dynamics, individual freedom, social expectations, hypocrisy, social change, Gilded Age, literary realism.
Edith Wharton's *The Age of Innocence*: A Language Preview FAQ
What is this document?
This is a language preview offering a structured overview of Edith Wharton's novel, *The Age of Innocence*. It provides a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords for academic analysis.
What are the main themes explored in the preview?
The preview focuses on the impact of Old New York society on the protagonist, Newland Archer. Key themes include the influence of society on individual lives and choices; the tension between individual freedom and societal expectations; the role of rituals and conventions in maintaining social order; the portrayal of societal hypocrisy; and Wharton's depiction of social change and the disintegration of traditional society.
What is covered in the "Table of Contents"?
The table of contents outlines the structure of the full analysis. It includes an introduction, a chapter dedicated to the impact of Old New York society on Newland Archer (further subdivided into sections on Archer's marriage, Ellen Olenska's role, and Wharton's depiction of Old New York), and a conclusion.
What are the chapter summaries?
The introduction sets the scene, introducing Newland Archer and the novel's central theme – the influence of Old New York society. It also briefly outlines the plot and key scholarly works. The second chapter delves into how Old New York society shapes Archer's life and decisions, examining societal rituals, group dynamics, and values, highlighting the tension between individual agency and collective expectations.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: Old New York society, Edith Wharton, *The Age of Innocence*, Newland Archer, societal conventions, rituals, group dynamics, individual freedom, social expectations, hypocrisy, social change, Gilded Age, and literary realism.
What is the objective of this preview?
The preview aims to provide a comprehensive overview of *The Age of Innocence*, focusing on the impact of Old New York society on Newland Archer. It analyzes societal structures, rituals, and dynamics, exploring how these elements shape individual choices and relationships.
Who is the target audience for this preview?
This preview is intended for academic use, supporting structured analysis and the exploration of themes in Edith Wharton's *The Age of Innocence*.
What is the scope of this preview?
This is a preview, offering a concise overview. It does not constitute a full-length academic analysis of the novel.
- Quote paper
- Pia Reschl (Author), 2021, "Childhood Memories": The Impact of Society on Newland Archer in Edith Wharton's "The Age of Innocence", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1176176
