By Edith Wharton
“The Age of Innocence” is a classic novel by Edith Wharton, set in the high society of New York in the late 19th century. The novel explores themes such as tradition, morality, and the constraints of society, through the story of Newland Archer and his love for the unconventional Countess Ellen Olenska. Wharton uses powerful imagery, symbolism, and metaphor to create a vivid portrait of the society in which her characters live, and to explore the inner lives and desires of her complex and nuanced characters.
In this guide you’ll learn:
Themes 📚
- Tradition vs. Progress: “The Age of Innocence” explores the tension between tradition and progress in New York society of the late 19th century. The novel examines the ways in which the rigidity of tradition can stifle individual freedom and creativity, while progress can challenge the established norms and values of society.
- Love and Desire: The novel deals with the theme of love and desire, particularly the conflict between the desire for individual fulfillment and the demands of social convention. The novel explores the tension between the heart and the head, and the ways in which love and desire can both liberate and constrain the individual.
- Morality and Social Norms: “The Age of Innocence” also examines the theme of morality and social norms, as the characters grapple with questions of right and wrong in the context of their social and cultural milieu. The novel examines the complex moral landscape of high society, and the ways in which social norms can both support and suppress individual moral agency.
- Gender Roles and Expectations: The novel deals with the theme of gender roles and expectations, particularly the ways in which women were expected to conform to strict social conventions and the limitations this placed on their personal and professional lives. The novel explores the ways in which gender roles and expectations were enforced and challenged in late 19th century New York society.
- Isolation and Loneliness: Finally, “The Age of Innocence” examines the theme of isolation and loneliness, as the characters struggle to reconcile their own desires and needs with the demands of society. The novel explores the ways in which isolation and loneliness can both liberate and constrain the individual, and the ways in which social and cultural norms can exacerbate or alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Use of Literary Devices ✍🏽
- Irony: Irony is a common literary device in “The Age of Innocence,” particularly in its critique of the society and culture of New York’s upper class. The novel often uses irony to expose the gap between the characters’ aspirations and the reality of their situations, and to challenge readers to consider alternative ways of living and thinking.
- Symbolism: The novel makes use of powerful symbols, such as the red rose and the Mingott family’s portrait, to represent deeper themes and ideas. The symbols in the novel add depth and complexity to the narrative, and allow the reader to explore its themes on multiple levels.
- Imagery: Wharton uses vivid and detailed imagery to create a sense of the society and culture in which her characters live. Her descriptions of the characters’ clothing, homes, and social events are particularly evocative and immersive.
- Metaphor: The novel uses metaphor to describe the characters and their relationships to each other and to the larger social and cultural forces that shape their lives. For example, the character of May Welland can be seen as a metaphor for the social expectations and constraints that limit the characters’ choices and desires.
- Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing is used in the novel to create a sense of tension and anticipation as the story unfolds. The reader is given clues about the events that will transpire, heightening the suspense of the narrative and creating a sense of inevitability.
- Flashback: The novel makes use of flashback to provide background information about the characters and their experiences before the events of the novel. These flashbacks help to create a more complete picture of the characters and their motivations, and allow the reader to understand the events of the novel in a deeper and more nuanced way.
- Point of View: The novel is told from the point of view of Newland Archer, allowing the reader to see the events of the story through his perspective. This narrative device adds depth and complexity to the novel, and allows the reader to explore its themes and ideas in a more nuanced way.
- Repetition: Repetition is used in the novel to emphasize certain themes and ideas, such as the constraints of social convention and the tension between tradition and progress. The repetition of certain phrases and images creates a sense of rhythm and continuity throughout the narrative.
- Allusion: The novel makes use of literary allusions, such as references to Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” to add depth and complexity to the narrative. These allusions allow the reader to explore the novel’s themes and ideas on multiple levels, and to connect the story to larger literary traditions.
- Characterization: Wharton’s nuanced and complex characterization is a major literary device in the novel. The characters are multi-dimensional and their motivations and desires are explored in depth, allowing the reader to understand the complex web of relationships and power dynamics that exist within New York’s upper class.
Examples of Literary Devices 📋
1. Symbolism
| Symbolism | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The Opera House | Represents the rigid social structure and expectations of New York’s high society. |
| The yellow roses | Symbolize unattainable love and longing between Newland Archer and Ellen Olenska. |
| May’s parasol | Represents May’s role as the traditional, innocent, and protected woman in the society. |
2. Irony
| Irony | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Newland Archer’s profession | As a lawyer, he’s expected to uphold society’s rules, yet he yearns for freedom from them. |
| Ellen’s perceived freedom | Ellen appears to have more freedom, but she’s still constrained by society’s judgments. |
| May’s innocence | May’s innocence is both attractive to Newland and a barrier to their deep emotional bond. |
| Foreshadowing | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Newland’s early attraction | Newland’s initial attraction to Ellen hints at their future emotional entanglement. |
| May’s subtle manipulations | May’s seemingly innocent actions foreshadow her ability to control Newland’s life. |
| The taboo surrounding Ellen | Ellen’s past and social reputation foreshadow the difficulties she and Newland will face. |
4. Imagery
| Imagery | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Lavish social gatherings | Vivid descriptions of social events highlight the opulence and superficiality of the society. |
| The exotic European settings | Contrasting European locations emphasize the societal differences between America and Europe. |
| Ellen’s clothing and appearance | Ellen’s unconventional style reflects her nonconformity and allure to Newland Archer. |
5. Motif
| Motif | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Society’s expectations | The constant presence of societal expectations highlights the novel’s exploration of conformity. |
| The idea of escape | Characters’ fantasies of escape emphasize their dissatisfaction with their societal roles. |
| The concept of time | The passage of time and its effect on characters reveal the impact of societal constraints. |
6. Allegory
| Allegory | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The van der Luyden’s home | Represents the old, established social order and the power it holds over the characters. |
| Ellen’s art collection | Symbolizes her connection to a more liberated and artistic world, contrasting with New York society. |
| The Welland family life | Represents the idealized, yet stifling, domestic life expected of Newland and May. |
7. Allusion
| Allusion | Explanation |
|---|---|
| References to art and literature | Enhance the novel’s exploration of societal values, tastes, and intellect. |
| The Faust legend | Alludes to Newland’s moral dilemma and struggle with temptation. |
| The story of Adam and Eve | Represents the theme of innocence, knowledge, and the consequences of forbidden desire. |
8. Tone
| Tone | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Wharton’s satirical tone | Critiques the social norms and superficiality of New York’s high society. |
| Melancholic undertone | Highlights the novel’s exploration of unfulfilled desires and the constraints of tradition. |
| Romantic undertone | Enhances the novel’s depiction of longing, love, and the power of emotions. |
9. Flashbacks
| Flashback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Newland’s memories of Europe | Reveal his longing for a more cultured and open-minded society than New York. |
| Ellen’s past relationship | Provides insight into her character and the reasons behind her return to New York. |
| Newland’s memories of May | Offer a deeper understanding of their relationship and the evolution of their feelings. |
10. Setting
| Setting | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 1870s New York high society | Provides a backdrop for the exploration of societal norms, values, and expectations. |
| The van der Luyden’s home | Represents the pinnacle of tradition and authority within New York’s high society. |
| European locations | Serve as a contrast to New York, highlighting the differences in culture and attitude. |
FAQs 💭
What are some of the major literary devices used in “The Age of Innocence”?
Some of the major literary devices used in the novel include symbolism, irony, foreshadowing, point of view, and characterization.
How does the novel use symbolism?
What role does irony play in the novel?
How does the novel use foreshadowing?
The novel uses foreshadowing to create a sense of tension and anticipation in the reader, hinting at the tragic events that will unfold later in the story.
What is the significance of the novel’s point of view?
The novel is narrated from a third-person omniscient point of view, allowing the reader to access the thoughts and emotions of multiple characters and providing a broader perspective on the events of the story.
How does the novel use characterization?
The novel features rich and complex characterizations, with characters often revealing their true selves through their thoughts and actions rather than their external appearances.
What is the role of setting in the novel?
The novel’s setting, in the upper-class society of late 19th century New York, plays a significant role in shaping the attitudes and behaviors of its characters and providing a backdrop for the novel’s themes and ideas.
How does the novel use language and style to convey its themes?
The novel employs rich and descriptive language and a precise, formal style to create a sense of the societal conventions and expectations that shape its characters’ lives, underscoring its themes of conformity and repression.
What is the significance of the novel’s title?
The novel’s title refers to the societal expectations and constraints that constrain its characters’ lives and desires, particularly in relation to love and marriage.
How does the novel use structure and plot to convey its themes?
The novel’s carefully structured plot, which follows the doomed love affair of its two protagonists, underscores its themes of societal expectations, repression, and the struggle to reconcile individual desire with the demands of society.