The Age of Innocence
question
Alternate endings
Michelle
Jan 22, 2013 02:43PM
In the introduction to the Penguin 20th Century Classic edition, Cynthia Griffin Wolff says that Wharton wrote two alternate endings to this book (both of which are in the Edith Wharton archives at Yale University). In one version, he marries May but later runs off to Florida with Ellen, determined to toss aside his old life and live with her. However, he finds himself uncomfortable living outside society, and she quickly bores of him. They go back to NY without anyone knowing about their near-escape.
In the second version, May releases him from their engagement (and marries someone else). Archer marries Ellen. They have a "rapturous" honeymoon, but when they get bck to NY, their differences in outlook become too much -- he wants to be part of society, and she's stifled by it. They end up separating, and she returns to Europe while he lives out the rest of his life with his mother and sister.
Questions: 1. Would either of these endings have been more satisfying? 2. What do these endings tell us about the author's views on duty, society, and Archer's choices?
In the second version, May releases him from their engagement (and marries someone else). Archer marries Ellen. They have a "rapturous" honeymoon, but when they get bck to NY, their differences in outlook become too much -- he wants to be part of society, and she's stifled by it. They end up separating, and she returns to Europe while he lives out the rest of his life with his mother and sister.
Questions: 1. Would either of these endings have been more satisfying? 2. What do these endings tell us about the author's views on duty, society, and Archer's choices?
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I did not know about these alternate endings. I do not like either of them. In neither of the 3 endings, Archer would have lived outside the society that is so oppressive to him. Maybe Archer is simply not the man he would like to be, a brave one that can get free of this oppression. Ellen, on the other hand, is free. If that is who Archer is, then it makes sense that Ellen and him can not be together.
I remember reading somewhere that Age of Innocence was supposed to be Wharton's way of making up for House of Mirth. House of Mirth was such a criticism of NY society, so Age of Innocence was a bit of an apology for that. If that were true, then maybe Archer's conservative side doesn't necessarily reflect the author's views. It seems that the novel suggests that inconvenient social customs can have a purpose. I've read the book a few times over the years, and I feel differently about the characters each time. I'm mid-way through the book again - and it's the first time I've noticed May.
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