The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

Description

Edith Wharton in her book The Age of Innocence written and published in 1920 explores the complex social and moral constraints of New York high society in the 1870s. The story of Newland Archer, a young man torn between duty, desire and societal expectations, is a vivid portrayal of a world bound by tradition and conformity.

Set during the Gilded Age, the novel introduces us to a society governed by strict codes of behaviour where appearances and reputation are of utmost importance. Newland Archer, a respected member of this elite circle, finds himself engaged to the innocent and conventional May Welland. However, their carefully planned lives are disrupted by the arrival of May’s cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska, a free-spirited woman who challenges the established norms of the society she finds herself in.

As Newland becomes infatuated with Ellen and questions the suffocating conventions of his world, he starts his struggle with the tension between his desires and the expectations placed upon him. Wharton’s writing subtly reveals the inner conflict of her characters as they navigate the rigid expectations of their society while yearning for personal freedom and fulfilment.

The Age of Innocence explores themes of love, passion, duty and sacrifice and simultaneously raises questions about the price one must pay for conforming to societal norms and the consequences of breaking free from those constraints. Wharton deftly portrays the hypocrisy and constraints of a society that values propriety over personal happiness, forcing her characters to make difficult choices between loyalty to tradition and pursuing their desires.

Wharton’s keen observations and sharp social commentary shed light on the illusions and limitations of the “innocence” upheld by the upper class. Through the struggles and sacrifices of the characters, she exposes the societal pressures that stifle individuality and passion, ultimately challenging the notion of what it means to live a fulfilling life.

The Age of Innocence is a novel that will live forever and will continue to build an inner attachment with its readers. Wharton’s exquisite prose, rich character development and incisive critique of societal expectations make it a significant work of literature. It serves as a poignant reminder that true happiness often requires challenging the status quo and embracing the complexities and uncertainties of life, even at the risk of losing one’s innocence.