The Age of Innocence
Social classes have been imbedded into society ever since the establishment of a hierarchy. In The Age of Innocence written by Edith Wharton, Archer is a prime example of emptiness due to the injustice of the social class. Humanity becomes shallow when one focuses on material possessions to determine value or popularity. In The Age of Innocence, the author explores the life of high society in the early Victorian-Era New York. The upper class view themselves as more important than the people below them. They are also simple minded, they view the poor as useless and not valuable because of their social status. Lastly, Wharton questions whether the class system is truly necessary because it creates unfairness in society by disregarding the people below them. Although, money is important for the growth of the economy, it creates conflict when others are dismissed because of their wealth.
The higher society views themselves as superior because of their “net worth.” Money is valued so highly that you are shamed if you lose it,
And when she said: But my name, Auntie my name's Regina Dallas,' I said: It was Beaufort when he covered you with jewels, and it's got to stay Beaufort now that he's covered you with shame' (Wharton 271).
Lauren Tomlinson stressed the idea of how “money is used as a symbol of human value.” Tomlinson agrees that materialistic values are flawed in the world of the novel. Their vain society focuses on lavish parties and opera shows as a way of determining who is important and who is not.
Indeed, she always gave her ball on an Opera night in order to emphasize her complete superiority to household cares, and her possession of a staff of servants competent to organise every detail of the entert...
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...nocence is a warning to humanity that we will be very shallow and hated if one continues to put wealth before others.
Works Cited
Bussey, Jennifer. "Critical Essay on 'The Age of Innocence'."." Literature Resource Center. N.p., 13 May 2013. Web. 14 May 2014.
Analyzing innocence has always been a difficult task, not only due to it’s rapid reevaluation in the face of changing societal values, but also due to the highly private and personal nature of the concept. The differences between how people prioritize different types of innocence - childhood desires, intellectual naivety, sexual purity, criminal guilt, etc. - continually obscures the definition of innocence. This can make it difficult for people to sympathize with others’ loss of purity, simply because their definition of that loss will always be dissimilar to the originally expressed idea. Innocence can never truly be adequately described, simply because another will never be able to precisely decipher the other’s words. It is this challenge, the challenge of verbally depicting the isolationism of the corruption of innocence, that Tim O’Brien attempts to endeavour in his fictionalized memoir, The
Reading Chapter 11, “Genders and Sexualities,” written by Carrie Hintz was to construct and enact alternatives for these two traditional categories. Data is clearly indicated that sexual material is some of the most controversial content in literature. Children’s literature that is involved with adolescent’s childhood are key battlegrounds for attitudes about gender and sexuality. The significance of gender and sexuality in children’s literature is the persistent investment in what is perceived to be the innocence of children. Innocence is defined in part by children’s enforced ignorance of sexual matters. According to James Kincaid, “Youth and innocence are two of the most eroticized constructions of the past two centuries. Innocence was that
Two of Edith Wharton’s greatest novels, The Age of Innocence and Ethan Frome can be seen to have similarities in the situations the characters go through and themes that are used. Each of these novels has it’s own themes and traits that makes it great, but after examining each novel it is evident thatthere are underlying themes that link the two stories together. Perhaps the most obvious is the weakness that both Ethan Frome and Newland Archer seem to have in there lives. The feeling of being trapped, and wanting that sense of freedom is also an important part of both novels. Of course there are themes and symbolisms within each that contribute to the great differences between the two. In The Age of Innocence, mortality and immortality is one of the greatest aspects or themes; and in Ethan Frome the weakness of Ethan’s character can be seen as one of the main focus’.
Novels such as “The Age of Innocence”(The Editors of), which discusses a “ picture of upper-class New York society in the 1870s” (The Editors of), strongly relates to Wharton and her background. “The Age of Innocence” is considered Wharton’s “finest work” (The Age Of). The novel is based off Newland Archer and May Welland’s troubled marriage. At first, the married couple live in harmony and joy, however this dramatically changes throughout the book. Once Newland meets “May's cousin, the Countess Ellen Olenska, on the run from an unhappy marriage” (The Age of Innocence), Newland immediately falls in love. Society plays a major key role in this book. Therefore, Ellen cannot divorce her husband or make a public announcement of her feelings for Newland. As Newland’s feelings grow deeper for Ellen he feels a strong need to run away with her and live their life together. However, Newland knew that severe consequences would be upheld against him if he were to run away with Ellen. Such as, being disowned from his family. However, he never cared much about the consequences and put Ellen as his main focus. May is a sharp woman and figured out their feelings toward each other and as a result, the day they planned to leave was the day May announced her pregnancy with Newland. The book ends with May and Newland carrying on their unhappy marriage and kids while Ellen and Newland’s relationship is forever
A privileged lifestyle is only legitimate for the privileged people. When an outsider makes amends with insiders, there is a sense the outsider doesn’t belong. As insiders become more aware and attentive to the fact that the person doesn’t belong, acts of cruelty are formed to keep their social class structure balanced. The Age Of Innocence by Edith Wharton displays these acts of cruelty on a character named Ellen Olenska. She was the granddaughter of Mrs. Manson Mingott, Ellen was adapted to European culture since her upbringing was in Europe. She was married to a Polish nobleman, although their marriage was considered conventional and perfect for her, it was a false assertion. The Count had cheated on Madame Olenska and their marriage was
Garcia, Angela. "Edith Wharton’s Ethan Frome." American Writers Classics. Ed. Jay Parini. Vol. 2. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2004. 89-108. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 4 Feb. 2014.
Ammons, Elizabeth. “Edith Wharton’s Ethan Frome and the Question of Meaning.” Studies in American Fiction, Vol. 7, No. 2, 1979, pp. 127-140.
Inevitably, there comes a point in everybody’s life at which they have an experience that completely alters their view of the world. This moment is when one loses his or her innocence, or comes of age, and he or she realizes that they do not live in a utopian Golden Age. Parents are charged with the monumental duty of protecting their children’s innocence, but everybody inescapably grows up. This experience can be anything from an embarrassing situation at school to coming within seconds of death. In the short story “Ambush” by Tim O’Brien, the author tells the true story of his daughter confronting him and asked him if he had ever killed anyone. In an effort to be a good parent and protect the nine-year-old’s innocence, the author does not share with her the story he goes on to tell to the reader. He explains how many years ago, he was serving in the army and was taking a shift guarding his troop’s campsite when all of a sudden, a young man from the opposing army came walking up the trail. Without a second thought, O’Brien killed the boy with a grenade, and he lost his innocence after realizing he had killed a defenseless man without hesitation. Tim O’Brien develops Ambush as a coming of age story through the use of literary devices.
Loss of innocence is a time-worn theme in the literature of every culture. It traditionally takes the form of some type of epiphany visited upon an unsophisticated character as she grows up and encounters the larger world. The focus of this theme is normally personal, in the point of view of an individual, or the omnipotent third person account of the reaction of an individual. While this aspect can be found in the novel, it additionally explores the loss of innocence of a family, people or race, called estirpe in the original edition.
A good novel teaches its readers important insights that changes their way of life or thinking. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton, takes place in Upper Class New York in the Victorian era. The novel revolves around Archer Newland and his struggle as he falls in love with a women shunned by the society despite already being engaged to another. As Archer tries to make sense of what his life has become, readers are able to experience the reality of being in the upper class. The Age of Innocence is a good book because it teaches important insights on values, freedom and gender equality.
“Money is the root of all evil”(Levit). Man and his love of money has destroyed lives since the beginning of time. Men have fought in wars over money, given up family relationships for money and done things they would have never thought that they would be capable of doing because of money. In the movie, based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, the author demonstrates how the love and worship of money and all of the trappings that come with it can destroy lives. In the novel Jay Gatsby has lavish parties, wears expensive gaudy clothes, drives fancy cars and tries to show his former love how important and wealthy he has become. He believes a lie, that by achieving the status that most Americans, in th...
"All things truly wicked start from an innocence,” states Ernest Hemingway on his view of innocence. Innocence, what every youth possesses, is more accurately described as a state of unknowing but not ignorance- which connotation suggests a blissfully positive view of the world. Most youth are protected from the harsh realities of the adult world. Therefore they are able to maintain their state of innocence. While innocence normally wanes over time, sometimes innocence can be abruptly taken away. Some of the characters in Truman Capotes In Cold Blood lost their innocence due to the traumatic events they experienced in childhood and adulthood while some had none to begin with.
The book The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton presents a glance into the society of old New York, as seen through the eyes of the main character, Newland Archer. Newland Archer’s character is an interesting one, and it seems to change throughout the story, representing the idea that the rules set by society aren’t always perfect. In the beginning it is said that he does what is expected, is fashionable, and follows the rules set by New York society in which he grew up. However, toward the end of the book, we see changes in his character, reflected in his suggestions or thoughts about doing things that people from the elite New York society wouldn’t consider.
“But after a moment a sense of waste and ruin overcame him. There they were, close together and safe and shut in; yet so chained to their separate destinies that they might as well been half the world apart.” (The Age of Innocence, pg 175 ). The Age of Innocence is written by Edith Wharton and is placed in New York during the 1870’s. A wealthy lawyer, Newland Archer is engaged to sweet socialite May Welland. At the first glance, it seems to be a perfect match, but when May's beautiful cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska, estranged from her british husband, arrives in town, Newland begins to question the meaning of passion and love as he desperately pursues a relationship with Ellen, even though she has been made a social outcast by Archer's peers. In The Age of Innocence, themes such as values, society and class, and innocence versus experience are revealed through the characters and setting of this prose.
The Age of Innocence, written by Edith Wharton, is a story told during the old New York era where a young man named Newland Archer prepares to marry his beautiful fiance but is conflicted with another woman who had just ended a disastrous marriage at europe. Now, Archer must make the life changing decision between his right to the family and his love that may cause a great rift to his life.