Randall Russell answers “Why did Edith Wharton choose to end the...”

John Tcooke asked this question about The Age of Innocence [with Biographical Introduction]:

Why did Edith Wharton choose to end the story without Newland and the countless meeting again?

Randall Russell Good question! I just finished the book, and I can say that the very end, where Newland decides to sit outside the Countess's residence and then go ba…moreGood question! I just finished the book, and I can say that the very end, where Newland decides to sit outside the Countess's residence and then go back to his hotel without seeing her, really annoyed me. That decision, in light of Newland's past obsession with the Countess, just didn't ring true for me, and I felt like Edith Wharton didn't really lay much groundwork for Newland to have have a basis for making that decision. To me, it felt like Wharton just left everything hanging and unresolved, and that felt very unsatisfying to me. Since May was dead, there was nothing holding Newland back from meeting, and doing whatever with Ellen. (less)

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The Age of Innocence [with Biographical Introduction]

by Edith Wharton

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