From Conflict to Identity: Main Issues Explored in US Literary Education - Sykalo Eugen 2023

What are the themes of social class and societal expectations in Edith Wharton's “The Age of Innocence”?

Edith Wharton, the exquisite chronicler of the Gilded Age, whose literary brush stroked the canvas of society with masterful precision in her magnum opus, "The Age of Innocence." Within the pages of this remarkable work, Wharton weaves a tapestry of themes, most notably social class and societal expectations, capturing the complexities, constraints, and sacrifices that come hand in hand with the glittering facade of high society.

At its core, "The Age of Innocence" is an incisive exploration of the rigid social stratification that defined late 19th-century New York. Wharton casts an unflinching gaze upon the cloistered world of the upper class, unveiling the intricate rules, customs, and hierarchies that governed their lives. The novel immerses readers in a society where birth, breeding, and wealth determine one's place, influence, and acceptance within the social elite.

Wharton's characters embody the contrasting facets of social class, representing a range of positions within the social hierarchy. From the patrician Archer family to the newly rich arrivistes such as the van der Luydens, Wharton elucidates the disparities and tensions that exist within and between these strata. She skillfully depicts the subtle cues and social markers that distinguish the upper crust from the aspiring middle class, creating a palpable atmosphere of exclusivity and privilege.

Through the character of Newland Archer, Wharton offers a lens through which to explore the weight of societal expectations and the sacrifices required to maintain one's standing. Archer, a scion of the old guard, personifies the struggle between conformity and personal desire. Bound by the unyielding strictures of society, he is compelled to navigate the treacherous waters of duty, tradition, and the constraints of his social class. Wharton probes the conflict between individual desires and the societal obligations that threaten to suffocate genuine self-expression and fulfillment.

One of the central dilemmas in "The Age of Innocence" is the tension between societal expectations and personal freedom. Wharton delves into the complexities of arranged marriages, where social standing and financial considerations often take precedence over matters of the heart. The doomed love triangle between Newland Archer, his betrothed May Welland, and the enigmatic Countess Ellen Olenska serves as a poignant backdrop for this exploration. Wharton exposes the futility of attempting to escape the clutches of societal expectations, as her characters grapple with the inevitability of conformity and the erosion of personal agency.

Furthermore, "The Age of Innocence" delves into the hypocrisies and contradictions that underpin high society. Wharton unveils the gilded veneer that cloaks a world marred by stifling conventions and stifled desires. The novel exposes the façade of respectability and the suffocating expectations placed on women within this rarified sphere. Wharton offers a critique of the restrictions placed upon women, revealing the limited roles and prescribed behaviors that confine them to a life of domesticity and ornamental display.

Moreover, Wharton masterfully captures the suffocating aura of societal conformity that permeates every facet of life within this insular world. The characters' lives are governed by unspoken rules and codes of conduct, where deviation is met with censure and ostracism. Wharton exposes the constraints that bind individuals to societal expectations, shining a light on the sacrifices made to maintain the illusion of respectability and conformity.

Edith Wharton's "The Age of Innocence" stands as a literary tour de force, an elegiac exploration of social class and the suffocating grip of societal expectations. Wharton's keen observations and piercing prose transport readers to the bygone era of the Gilded Age, unveiling the intricate web of privilege, constraints, and sacrifices that defined the lives of the elite. The novel serves as a timeless reminder of the enduring power of societal norms and the potent forces that shape individual destinies within a stratified society. Wharton's indelible work continues to resonate, offering a poignant reflection on the human condition and the eternal struggle between conformity and the pursuit of authentic self-expression.