Conformity in The Age of Innocence
Conformity in The Age of Innocence Edith Wharton, author of The Age of Innocence, was born in January 24, 1862, in New York, New York. ... She enjoyed travel and reading from a young age, and while her parents supported these interests, they disapproved of her ambitions to become an author (“Age,” Novels 2). ... Wharton died of cardiac arrest in France on August 11, 1937 (“Age,” Novels 2). ... The characters in the crowded cast of The Age of Innocence are drawn from individuals Mrs. ... She published volumes of short stories and novels, which earned her a faithful following, critical acceptance, and a Pulitzer Prize in 1921 (“Age,” Novels 2). The Age of Innocence was a best-seller when it appeared (Haynes 15). In addition to being the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize, Wharton was the first woman to be awarded the Gold Medal of the National Institute of Arts and Letters (“Age,” Novels 2). Edith Wharton’s novel, The Age of Innocence, was published in 1920. ... Throughout the novel Edith Wharton shows the theme of conformity through conflict, characterization, and setting. Wharton develops the theme of conformity through conflicts between Newland Archer and the society of old New York. Shaped by this society of conformity, Newland can not break free to claim what his heart desires. “ He is divided, but ultimately can not abandon the conventions and expectations of the only society he has ever known” (“Age,” Novels 7). ... Secondly, Wharton develops the theme of conformity through conflict between Newland Archer and May Welland. ... Wharton also develops the theme of conformity through conflicts between Newland Archer and Countess Ellen Olenska. ... “In light of the rules of propriety, her situation is scandalous and risks the good name of the family” (“ Age,” Novels 6). ... Wharton also supports the theme of conformity through characterization. ... “ For the good of his family and social acceptance, he sacrifices his passion for Ellen” (“Age,” Novels 8). ... Wharton supports the theme of conformity through characterization of May Welland. May is proper, yet she has created an artificial innocence to support the role she plays in society. “Even intimate matters are subject to rules of etiquette as when May lets Newland guess that she cares for him, which is the only declaration of love allowed by a young unmarried woman” (“Age,” Novels 7). ... Wharton also supports the theme of conformity through Countess Ellen Olenska. ... Ellen has not been exposed to the ideas of conformity that the old New York society is based upon. ... The theme of conformity is portrayed through the setting. ... “Forced to work in sweatshops, factories, and mills, the underprivileged resented the lifestyle of the wealthy” (“Age,” Novels 11).