The Age of Innocence Essay Question 12 (Done by Zhong Xuan)

Discuss some of the ways in which Wharton creates drama through conversation in the novel. 1. Tense conversations are used to heighten the drama of a scene - Wharton heightens the tension in some conversations by removing or using minimal embellishments o E.g. Chapter 23, conversation with Ellen at Boston o Quickens the pace and draws focus to what is being said o Usually happens at key points of conversations E.g. with May, page 228, building up to the moment when May reveals the note Ellen sent her - Wharton creates tension between Newland and May through their contrasting attitudes and reactions during conversations o E.g. Chapter 32, about Ellens note o Mays calm behaviour indicates the control she now has in the relationship while she still gets embarrassed / blushes, she reacts more confidently than Newland, who cannot control his emotions o When Newland burst out laughing after reading Ellens note, even he was startled by his own laugh and recalled Janeys midnight fright when he responded thus over Mays telegram (Chapter 18). Here, May met his hysteria with unshaken candour - The contrast between Ellens realism and Archers idealism shown in their conversation on the carriage in Chapter 29 emphasises the drama behind their situation o Newlands conversations w Ellen here and elsewhere (18, 23) reveal his narrow worldview and relative inexperience. Ellen, however, possess a maturity that seemed to come from depths of experience beyond his reach. (202) o Newlands idealism becomes more apparent in this conversation, when juxtaposed against Ellens brutal honesty about the realitites of their situation. o Ellens gentle but sobering words crushes Newlands hope of resolving their situation: despite New Yorks stifling conventions, there is no true escape from judgement of others. 2. Juxtaposition of Newlands conversation with May and Ellen highlight the difference in the two relationships, which brings out the drama behind Newlands situation - E.g. Chapter 28 Mays tense conversation with Newland as she reveals her knowledge on the situation through her uncharacteristic insistence on understanding the specifics of the postponement of Newlands trip to Washington o Mays painful attempt to maintain appearances here serves as a contrast to Ellens open honesty in Chapter 29 - E.g. Chapter 32 When Newland asks bluntly what May had said to Ellen, she gives a coded reply, adding slowly that Ellen understands everything o Purposeful awkward, slow pace shows the painful tension between the couple - In general, in the second book, with Newland growing increasingly disenchanted with his marriage, his conversations with May become incredibly tense, and to a certain extent very obligatory and superficial, whereas his conversations with Ellen are emotionally charged and honest.

The Age of Innocence Essay Question 12 (Done by Zhong Xuan)

o This emphasizes drama of the internal conflict within Newland, torn between obligation and being true to his feelings

3. Conversations are used to show the conflict between what one says and what one thinks the outward appearances versus the inward beliefs, highlighting one of the main conflicts in this novel - The Archers conversation with Mr van der Luyden in chapter 10 o The contrast between the two conversations shows how emotions are concealed when interacting with others o While Mrs Archer and Janey reveal their true feelings in their conversation with Newland, their conversation with Mr van der Luyden shows how they conceal their true thoughts about the matter - Newlands mindless conversations In a few occasions, Newland is shown to engage in meaningless conversation with those around him, rambling on about superficial subjects while either thinking about something else or not thinking about anything at all, as it is revealed to the audience. o During Newland and Mays wedding, Newland felt himself sinking deeper and deeper into the black abyss, while his voice rambled on smoothly and cheerfully o This shows the dramatic conflict between Newlands outward appearance and his inner beliefs.