The Role of Social Conventions and Class in Shaping the Characters’ Lives in Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence
In Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence, social conventions and class play a critical role in shaping the characters' actions, choices, and ultimately their lives. The novel is set in New York’s Gilded Age, a period when rigid social structures defined people's behavior, relationships, and career trajectories. Through her portrayal of Newland Archer, May Welland, and Ellen Olenska, Wharton presents a biting commentary on the constraints placed on individuals by social expectations.
In Wharton’s world, New York’s high society is governed by a strict code of conduct that dictates the proper behavior for men and women, especially regarding marriage, family, and public image. Newland, the protagonist, is torn between his passion for Ellen Olenska, an independent and free-spirited woman, and his duty to his fiancée May Welland, who epitomizes the virtues of society’s expectations. His internal struggle underscores the conflict between personal desire and societal obligation, which is exacerbated by class distinctions. May, though young and innocent, is a product of her class, and her passive acceptance of her role within the society’s rigid framework contrasts sharply with Ellen’s rebellious nature.
Class is a pervasive theme, illustrated through the Wellands’ wealth and status, which grant them power and influence, and through Ellen’s outsider status. Ellen’s return to New York and her refusal to conform to societal expectations make her a target for judgment, reflecting how class and social reputation impact personal freedom. The novel reveals that true emotional fulfillment is often sacrificed at the altar of social acceptance, making it a poignant critique of the class system.
Ultimately, Wharton’s novel reflects the ways in which social conventions and class constraints trap individuals within predefined roles, limiting their personal freedom and happiness. The tragedy of Newland Archer’s life is that, despite his desires, he cannot escape the societal structure that dictates his actions, leaving him to ponder what might have been.
2. An Exploration of the Theme of Duty and Desire in The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
In Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence, the theme of duty versus desire is central to the emotional conflict experienced by the characters. At the heart of the novel is Newland Archer, a young lawyer who is torn between his sense of duty to his fiancée, May Welland, and his passionate desire for Ellen Olenska, a woman who defies the conventions of their time.
Wharton carefully constructs Newland’s inner turmoil as he navigates the delicate balance between fulfilling his societal obligations and pursuing his personal desires. Duty, in this context, is represented by Newland’s engagement to May, a woman who embodies the virtues of the traditional, conservative New York society. May is sweet, proper, and loyal—qualities that fit the expectations of their class and time. However, Newland’s desire for Ellen, who has experienced life outside the boundaries of their constrained world, challenges his understanding of love, marriage, and duty.
Ellen Olenska, who has been separated from her husband and returned to New York after living in Europe, represents the idea of independence and emotional freedom. She lives on her terms, unburdened by the rigid codes of society. Her attraction to Newland symbolizes the possibility of living authentically, free from societal pressures. However, Newland’s deep-rooted sense of duty to May and the expectations of his family make it almost impossible for him to act on his desire for Ellen.
The tension between duty and desire reaches its climax when Newland chooses to marry May, despite his deep affection for Ellen. This decision is emblematic of the sacrifices that individuals make in order to fulfill their roles within society, often at the cost of personal happiness. Newland’s eventual regret is a testament to the profound conflict between personal fulfillment and social responsibility that Wharton critiques throughout the novel.
Through this exploration, Wharton reveals the harsh realities of living within a society that demands conformity, where duty often supersedes personal desires, and where emotional sacrifice is an inevitable consequence of social propriety.