The age of innocence

A study of social conventions and personal desires in gilded age new york

Wharton Edith

452 pages, parution le 24/07/2023

Ajouter à une liste

Expédié sous 9 jours

Livraison à partir de 0,01€ dès 35€ d'achats
Pour une livraison en France métropolitaine

QUANTITÉ

Résumé

"The Age of Innocence" by Edith Wharton is a novel set in the 1870s, exploring the intricate social dynamics of New York's upper class. The story begins with Newland Archer, a young lawyer, attending an opera where he observes the arrival of Countess Ellen Olenska, a woman whose return to New York society after a failed marriage in Europe causes a stir. Archer is engaged to May Welland, a beautiful and conventional young woman, but he finds himself drawn to the more unconventional and independent Olenska. The novel delves into Archer's internal conflict between adhering to societal expectations and pursuing his personal desires. As Archer navigates his personal development and his growing feelings for Olenska, Wharton paints a vivid picture of the rigid social codes and the consequences of defying them. The narrative examines themes of duty, passion, and the constraints of society, ultimately questioning whether true happiness can be achieved within the confines of social norms. Wharton's keen observations and rich characterizations offer a critique of the superficiality and hypocrisy of the elite, while also highlighting the personal struggles of individuals caught between tradition and change.