Society: May Cause Side Effects
Imagine a reality where one had no control over his own choices- whether its marriage, friends, or even taste in music. In the novel Age of Innocence, one would expect to live such a lifestyle. Taking place in upper class New York, the socialites “all lived in a kind of hieroglyphic world, where the real thing was never said or done or even thought, but only represented by a set of arbitrary signs” (Wharton 145). Wharton’s novel tells the story of personal freedom, and how it is stifled by the rigid social conventions of the time (McWilliams 268). She tells this theme through the life story of Newland Archer, a restrained young attorney who is forced to live the conventional life that is expected of him, but …show more content…
For example, in the novel, kindness and honesty are traits that are ignored in order to advance into a higher status. This is shown in the selfish act of marriage, “After all, marriage is marriage, and money's money—both useful things in their way” (Wharton 87). There is no sincerity or love involved in the personal life. The society has created such a mindset as to have these traits is seen as weak and immature. People also tend to be harsh with their criticism of one another due to their expected standards. Characters in the novel who have more superiority in the social circle, like Archers mother, have the power to literally decide if the clique will approve or disapprove of any certain thing (Singley 502-503). She single handedly condemned Ellen Olenska, calling her “poor…bohemian…and lost her looks” (Wharton 58). Mrs. Archer even declared that Olenska shouldn’t be anywhere near the high class. Because of the respect the social circle they have for her, Mrs. Archer’s words were taken as brutal truth. No individuals’ personal values or opinions were original because of Old New York’s sheep-like mentality and absurd …show more content…
The individual originally recognizes that the lifestyle they are living is immoral. However, as they progress through society, they lose sight of this strand of consciousness and accept the mold they have been forced into since their birth. Wharton demonstrates this transition throughout the entirety of Newlands life. When the novel begins, he has a streak of defiance and moral sense. This streak becomes more prominent throughout his love affair with Ellen Olenska. When he takes May Welland as his bride, he continues to see Ellen, keeping the liberating affair alive. But ultimately he succumbs to the reality of his situation and ends the deception. By ending the affair, Newland also ends any hope he had left of breaking free of society’s chains. The novels last chapter takes the reader 26 years into the future, where Newland Archer is now a 57 year old man. He is well respected by his peers and has a high social standing, but is ultimately disappointed with his life. He describes himself as “a mere grey speck of a man compared with the ruthless magnificent fellow he had dreamed of being” (Evron 44). While it may be a positive on the surface that Newland is finally living the life he was destined to have, it is also crushing that he had to give up his personal freedom. Wharton explains that this was common practice during the era. She expresses the belief that few originally created the
Imagine a reality where one had no control over his own choices- whether its marriage, friends, or even taste in music. In the novel Age of Innocence, one would expect to live such a lifestyle. Taking place in upper class New York, the socialites “all lived in a kind of hieroglyphic world, where the real thing was never said or done or even thought, but only represented by a set of arbitrary signs” (Wharton 145). Wharton’s novel tells the story of personal freedom, and how it is stifled by the rigid social conventions of the time (McWilliams 268). She tells this theme through the life story of Newland Archer, a restrained young attorney who is forced to live the conventional life that is expected of him, but …show more content…
For example, in the novel, kindness and honesty are traits that are ignored in order to advance into a higher status. This is shown in the selfish act of marriage, “After all, marriage is marriage, and money's money—both useful things in their way” (Wharton 87). There is no sincerity or love involved in the personal life. The society has created such a mindset as to have these traits is seen as weak and immature. People also tend to be harsh with their criticism of one another due to their expected standards. Characters in the novel who have more superiority in the social circle, like Archers mother, have the power to literally decide if the clique will approve or disapprove of any certain thing (Singley 502-503). She single handedly condemned Ellen Olenska, calling her “poor…bohemian…and lost her looks” (Wharton 58). Mrs. Archer even declared that Olenska shouldn’t be anywhere near the high class. Because of the respect the social circle they have for her, Mrs. Archer’s words were taken as brutal truth. No individuals’ personal values or opinions were original because of Old New York’s sheep-like mentality and absurd …show more content…
The individual originally recognizes that the lifestyle they are living is immoral. However, as they progress through society, they lose sight of this strand of consciousness and accept the mold they have been forced into since their birth. Wharton demonstrates this transition throughout the entirety of Newlands life. When the novel begins, he has a streak of defiance and moral sense. This streak becomes more prominent throughout his love affair with Ellen Olenska. When he takes May Welland as his bride, he continues to see Ellen, keeping the liberating affair alive. But ultimately he succumbs to the reality of his situation and ends the deception. By ending the affair, Newland also ends any hope he had left of breaking free of society’s chains. The novels last chapter takes the reader 26 years into the future, where Newland Archer is now a 57 year old man. He is well respected by his peers and has a high social standing, but is ultimately disappointed with his life. He describes himself as “a mere grey speck of a man compared with the ruthless magnificent fellow he had dreamed of being” (Evron 44). While it may be a positive on the surface that Newland is finally living the life he was destined to have, it is also crushing that he had to give up his personal freedom. Wharton explains that this was common practice during the era. She expresses the belief that few originally created the