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The Age of Innocence

Sinead Murphy
Ballincollig CS, Cork

The Age of Innocence was written by Edith Wharton. Edith was an early twentieth century American novelist. She was born and lived in New York and so she was very astute to the ways of New York society during the period in which the book is set. One of the main characters in the novel is Newland Archer; a well brought up young man of upper class, who is completely tuned-in to New York society. However, he has a mind of his own and begins to doubt the ways and beliefs of the people around him. The other main character is Countess Ellen Olenska, a former native of New York who left at a young age and married a count from Poland. She left her husband and has returned to New York. However, her strong-mindedness and acquired European customs make it difficult for her to fit in. Archer is drawn to her and she is a factor in his doubting of society.

This novel reflects the high class New Yorkers of the time very well. 'Family' was one of the most important things to them. The family name always had to be upheld and sons and daughters were expected to marry upwards to improve the status of the name. Family also tried to stay together and support each other as much as possible. The Mignotts, the family of Countess Olenska, stood by her while the rest of 'society' thought she was a disgrace.

The members of this society attended the Opera frequently although their interest was primarily to socialise rather than view the performance. They all had private boxes and spent the time commenting on the taste, fashion and form of others around them. Society was very strict and people acted in a very formal manner. Men were expected to be gentlemen, young ladies were expected to be courteous and intelligent but not very strong-willed or strong-minded and older women were wise and insightful.

An obvious factor about the novel is that there are very few references if any to the lower-class or 'poor' people other than musicians or artists. One would get the idea that there weren't any ordinary poor or middleclass people in New York. This novel is quite like some of Jane Austen's work only in a different setting. It can be difficult to read especially as Archer often has complicated soliloquies but it does give an interesting insight into the New York of the time.

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