Conclusion ideas for analysis :

In her autobiography Wharton described the social structure of1870s New York as dominated by “a
blind dread of innovation” (Whar-ton 1934, 22). the Age of Innocencecertainly conveys that dread,
depict-ing a New York whose mores seem both rigid and unchanging. Despitetheir apparently
immobility, however, mores can and do shift over time.New laws, new populations, new discoveries,
simply the passage of timeact can act upon mores, slowly modifying them, just as they slowly mod-ify
other aspects of a society. Even the mores of New York’s aristocracy are not exempt from gradual
modification, and while the narrative opensby highlighting the time-bound rituals of the New York
opera season,social convention is placed in the context of change from the very outset .the novel’s
second sentence announces the impending displacement ofthe Academy of Music by the
Metropolitan Opera House—“there wasalready talk of the erection, in the remote metropolitan
distances ‘abovethe Forties,’ of a new Opera House” (4)—thus framing the contrast be-tween change
and tradition in physical terms

Summary of the book for the review : Appearances can be deceiving as this superb classic novel reveals

1 ) Archer is a perfect product of Old New York, a member of one of the most prominent, historic
families, he lives in the obligatory sumptuous brownstone on Fifth Avenue with his mild mannered
mother and spinster sister, and languidly pursues the law as most gentlemen of his age and inherited
wealth do. He is engaged to the young, beautiful, and equally impeccably bred May Welland, who is
sweet sweet natured but naive. After twelve years away returns the Countess Ellen Olenska, May’s
cousin, who through no fault of her own upsets the balance of Newland's life. She is beautiful,
vivacious and intelligent, whose long period of living in more liberal European surroundings has made
her innocent of the nonsensical, unspoken rules of the society she has reentered, and incapable of
maintaining the shallow facade of her female relatives. Newland feels a life of quiet misery lies
ahead, and despairs over Olenska as they grow closer and closer, because he is forced, by his own
realisation, to know how Ellen will be treated if she dares to divorce her husband, and advises against
it, even though he is devoured by love for her.

2) The Age of Innocence is basically a love triangle. Newland Archer is a wealthy lawyer of upper-class
New York society, who is engaged to be married to May, a member of the same society. Ruled by
well laid conventions, Newland believes him to be happy and content and eagerly awaits his
impending marriage. The meet of Ellen, May's cousin, and his closer association with her that follows
make him see the dull and empty life that he is forced to live which is tightly controlled by
convention. Newland eventually falls in love with Ellen, but convention and duty requires that he
should surrender his love and freedom.

The story, through the main characters of Newland, May and Ellen, and supported by quite a number of
interesting supporting characters, is a true portrayal of the lives and way of living of New York upper-class
society. Being herself part of that society, Ms. Wharton draws a truthful account of the old upper-class New
York society coupled with subtle humour on their rigid conventional way of living. The story concludes with
the final chapter being set thirty years later, which shows how the people have slowly managed to unchain
themselves from the strict bonds of convention. This chapter was a breath of fresh air to the tedious
conventional living which was described throughout the story.

The writing is beautifully detailed and the psychological portrayal of the characters is cleverly done that it
was easy to connect with the story and characters from the very beginning. Her writing style is easy going
yet graceful which made the read both quick and interesting.