The Age of InnocenceBy: Edith Wharton

PowerPoint by: Kelsey Leonard

Edith Wharton

Edith Wharton was born into a wealthy New York family on January 24th, 1862. She wrote an autobiography, ghost stories, literary criticisms, plays, poetry, novels, novellas, short stories, and translations. Not only was she interested in writing, she also enjoyed interior design.

Important Characters ..

Newland Archer (narrator) : is a young lawyer who was born into a wealthy New York family. Archer faces a huge decision between staying true to his fiancé May or perusing his passion for Ellen.

.. Important Characters ..

Countess Ellen Olenska : She is the cousin of May Welland who was raised in Europe and recently returns to America. Her behavior was not accepted by many wealthy New Yorkers but she continued to behave the same way.

.. Important Characters

May Welland : Archer’s companion who was also born into a wealthy New York family.

Mrs. Manson Mingott : is the grandmother to May and Ellen, who is a highly ranked aristocrat in New York society.

The Age of InnocenceThe Age of Innocence was written in 1920, and in 1921, it won the Pulitzer Prize.

It is considered her best known work and was the first book where she reveals the events though the eyes of only one character.

At the beginning, I found the book hard to comprehend because of the language in which Wharton uses.

Major Theme

The Age of Innocence discusses New York society during the 1870s. It depicts upper class members of the society and makes fun of them by using irony. Edith Wharton discusses aristocratic rituals, values, and views.

Summary ..Newland Archer, a young lawyer has been recently engaged to May Welland who is the granddaughter to Mrs. Manson Mingott, a very highly ranked aristocrat in New York.

Around the same time as Newland announces his engagement, May’s cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska has recently returned to America after a failing marriage in Europe.

.. Summary ..After spending time around the Countess, Newland finds himself falling in love with her because she is different. She doesn’t play by the same rules as the other wealthy families and does things her own, unique way.

Whenever everyone turns their back on Ellen, her grandmother Mrs. Mingott and Newland continue to help her.

After becoming close with Ellen, Newland finds himself in a difficult situation. He has to choose between staying true to his fiancé and abiding by traditional values or choosing to pursue a more serious relationship with the Countess.

.. Summary

Critical Analysis ..When I first began reading The Age of Innocence, I found it hard to comprehend because of the language and use of words Edith Wharton chose. After the first few chapters, the book began to pull me in and kept me well interested. The Age of Innocence is a story of love tied to a mystery because you never see what's coming next.

.. Critical Analysis

If you do enjoy mystery and romance, I would recommend The Age of Innocence. Make sure you pay close attention because later on in the book many details become tied together.