The Age of Innocence

Description

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton is a novel set in the upper-class society of 1870s New York City. It tells the story of Newland Archer, a young lawyer engaged to the beautiful and conventional May Welland. Archer’s life takes an unexpected turn when he meets May’s cousin, the scandalous and unconventional Countess Ellen Olenska, who has returned to New York after separating from her abusive husband. As Archer becomes increasingly enamored with Ellen’s independence and wit, he begins to question the rigid social norms and expectations that govern his life. Torn between his duty to May and his desire for Ellen, Archer faces a profound internal conflict. Wharton’s novel explores themes of societal pressure, personal freedom, and the constraints of tradition. The intricate portrayal of New York’s elite and the moral dilemmas faced by its members make “The Age of Innocence” a poignant and timeless commentary on the human condition.

Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was an American novelist, short story writer, and designer. Born into a wealthy New York family, Wharton had an insider’s view of the upper-class society she often depicted in her works. Her literary career spanned over four decades, and she authored several classic novels, including “The House of Mirth,” “Ethan Frome,” and “The Age of Innocence,” for which she won the Pulitzer Prize in 1921. Wharton’s keen observations of social norms, combined with her elegant prose, have made her one of the most significant American writers of the early 20th century.