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The Age of Innocence [with Biographical Introduction]

Questions About The Age of Innocence [with Biographical Introduction]

by Edith Wharton

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Answered Questions (18)

Is this a clean book? Could a young teen read this?
Robert Well there's no explicit fucking in it if that's what you mean.
However at one point a stray curl escapes from Madame Olenska's chignon and lies along…moreWell there's no explicit fucking in it if that's what you mean.
However at one point a stray curl escapes from Madame Olenska's chignon and lies along the nape of her neck which I think is jolly well obscene!!(less)
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Why did Edith Wharton choose to end the story without Newland and the countless meeting again?
Boris Glebov Very good question.

To me, I think this is the moment Newland finally acknowledges who he truly is - this is the first time his actions regarding the C…moreVery good question.

To me, I think this is the moment Newland finally acknowledges who he truly is - this is the first time his actions regarding the Countess are not simply an outburst of passion, rage, or confusion. He is an upper class New Yorker, flesh and bone of that society, including its mindset - and the Countess is not.

As I was reading the book, all his attempts at intellectual rebellion seemed childish and impotent. He goes so far as to occasionally feel indignant about the society about him, but never does anything to actually stand up to it. He goes on at length about his plans to emancipate May's mind, but gives up on it instantly. When he makes up his mind to run away with Ellen, and the plans fails, he actually feels relief.

The tragedy of Newland Archer is that he succumbs to his society's pressure. Newland has the makings of a decent man, but New York's elite breaks him. This is best exemplified by the short scene at the end of Ellen's farewell dinner - a monumental intervention of shame and pressure meant to keep Newland on the straight and narrow, which ends with Lefferts asking him to cover for another of his dalliances. This moment is utterly cruel, and Newland accepts it.

Archer Newland, looking up at Ellen Olenska's balcony, is a man who accepted his fate. He feels shame for what's become of him, but is also too bound to do anything about it. In the end, he "can't behave like people in novels, though."(less)
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to what literary movement does this book belongs Modernism or realism or naturalism
Tamara Usually considered Naturalism.
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.When did it take place?
Susan 1870s

GR says that answer is too short to post so LALALALALALALALALALALALA. I hope that makes the GR bots happy. :)…more1870s

GR says that answer is too short to post so LALALALALALALALALALALALA. I hope that makes the GR bots happy. :)(less)
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How is Medora Manson related to Mrs. Manson Mingott? From the information provided, she must be her daughter - her brother is Ellen's father, and Ellen's maiden name is Mingott; Mrs. Manson Mingott is her grandmother. However, on two occasions it says Medora's mother had been a Rushworth, and Mrs. Manson Mingott's maiden name is Spicer! I can't find anything about this obvious inconsistency. Am I missing something?
Susan It was common in the nineteenth century to refer to brothers- and sisters-in-law as just brothers and sisters, which seems to have caused your confusi…moreIt was common in the nineteenth century to refer to brothers- and sisters-in-law as just brothers and sisters, which seems to have caused your confusion. Medora seems to be the widow of the brother of Ellen's mother. (Ellen's mother and May's mother were sisters, both Mansons.) What makes this even more complicated is that Mrs. Manson Mingott's mother-in-law was also a Manson (Many first sons in this society had their mother's family surname as their first names, like Manson Mingott & Newland Archer), so Medora's husband was also Mrs. Manson Mingott's nephew or cousin by marriage. Part of the point of this book is how complicated these familial relationships were.(less)
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