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Discuss the theme of societal pressure in Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence

Edith Wharton’s “The Age of Innocence” is a novel that explores the theme of societal pressure in the late 19th century New York. The novel is set in the upper-class society, where customs and conventions are strictly adhered to, and any deviation from the norm is met with condemnation and ostracism.

The novel’s protagonist, Newland Archer, is torn between his desire for individual freedom and his sense of duty to conform to the expectations of his society. This essay will explore the theme of societal pressure in “The Age of Innocence” and how it affects the characters in the novel.

Theme of societal pressure in The Age of Innocence:-One of the ways societal pressure is depicted in the novel is through the strict rules of social etiquette. The upper-class society of New York in the late 19th century had a set of unwritten rules that governed behavior and interactions between members of the society. These rules were meant to maintain a sense of order and decorum and to reinforce the social hierarchy.

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For instance, when Newland is engaged to May, he is expected to follow the rules of courtship and marriage, which include showing public displays of affection, not being alone with his fiancé, and adhering to strict schedules for visits and outings. These rules are strictly enforced, and any deviation from them is met with disapproval and gossip. Thus, Newland feels pressured to conform to these rules, even though they restrict his freedom and limit his expression of love for May.

Theme of societal pressure in The Age of Innocence:-Furthermore, societal pressure is also depicted in the novel through the concept of “correct” behavior. In the upper-class society of New York, there is a strong emphasis on correct behavior, which means adhering to strict moral and social codes. Members of the society are expected to act with decorum and propriety at all times, and any behavior that is deemed improper or scandalous is met with disapproval and ostracism.

For example, when Ellen Olenska returns to New York after separating from her husband, she is immediately shunned by the society because of her unconventional behavior and her association with a scandalous past. Her behavior is deemed unacceptable by the society, and she is labeled as an outcast. Thus, Ellen feels the pressure to conform to the norms of the society, even though she is unhappy with her situation.

Theme of societal pressure in The Age of Innocence:-Moreover, societal pressure is also depicted in the novel through the expectations of marriage and family. In the upper-class society of New York, marriage is viewed as a contract between families, and the primary purpose of marriage is to maintain the social hierarchy and to secure the family’s status and reputation. Thus, members of the society are expected to marry within their social class, and any deviation from this norm is met with disapproval and scandal.

Theme of societal pressure in The Age of Innocence:- For instance, when Newland falls in love with Ellen, he is torn between his desire to be with her and his sense of duty to marry May. He knows that if he marries Ellen, he will be ostracized by the society and lose his social status and reputation. Therefore, he feels the pressure to conform to the expectations of his society and to marry May, even though he is not in love with her.

Theme of societal pressure in The Age of Innocence:-Furthermore, societal pressure is also depicted in the novel through the role of women in the society. In the upper-class society of New York, women are expected to adhere to strict gender roles, which include being submissive, obedient, and passive. Women are not allowed to express their opinions, pursue their ambitions, or challenge the status quo.

Instead, they are expected to be decorative objects that enhance the status and reputation of their husbands. For example, May is portrayed as a perfect example of a well-bred and obedient wife. She never questions her husband’s decisions, never expresses her opinions, and always follows the rules of social etiquette. Her obedience and passivity

The Age of Innocence “Summary”

“The Age of Innocence” is a novel written by Edith Wharton in 1920. The novel is set in the 1870s in New York City and explores the social norms and expectations of the upper class during that time. The story follows Newland Archer, a young lawyer from a wealthy family, as he falls in love with the unconventional Countess Ellen Olenska, who has returned to New York after a scandalous divorce. However, Newland is engaged to May Welland, a proper young woman from his social circle, and he must choose between his duty to his fiancée and his desire for the countess.

Theme of societal pressure in The Age of Innocence:-The novel is a commentary on the rigid social codes of the time and how they affected individuals, particularly women. The character of Ellen Olenska represents the idea of individuality and self-expression, while the character of May Welland represents conformity and obedience to societal norms. Newland, caught between these two opposing forces, struggles to reconcile his personal desires with the expectations of his social class.

One of the key themes in “The Age of Innocence” is the role of women in society. Women in the novel are expected to conform to certain standards of behavior and to subordinate their own desires to those of their husbands and families. Ellen Olenska, however, challenges these norms by expressing herself freely and refusing to conform. She is seen as a threat to the social order precisely because she refuses to be bound by it.

Theme of societal pressure in The Age of Innocence:-May Welland, on the other hand, embodies the ideal of the obedient and dutiful wife. She is the embodiment of the ideal woman in New York society: beautiful, refined, and completely subservient to her husband. However, as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that May is not as innocent as she first appears. She is aware of Newland’s feelings for Ellen and manipulates the situation to her advantage. She even uses her pregnancy as a way to keep Newland tied to her.

Newland himself is torn between his desire for Ellen and his duty to May. He is initially drawn to Ellen’s free spirit and unconventional ways, but he ultimately decides to marry May because it is the socially acceptable thing to do. He feels trapped by the expectations of his class and unable to express his true feelings.

Theme of societal pressure in The Age of Innocence:-Another key theme in the novel is the idea of the past versus the present. The characters in the novel are nostalgic for a time when social codes were more strict and when people knew their place in society. They are afraid of change and the possibility of a more fluid and equal society. The character of Ellen Olenska represents the future and the possibility of breaking free from these social norms, while the character of May Welland represents the past and the desire to maintain the status quo.

Theme of societal pressure in The Age of Innocence:-The novel is also a commentary on the hypocrisy of New York society. The characters are obsessed with maintaining appearances and upholding their social status, but behind closed doors, they engage in all sorts of scandalous behavior. The character of Julius Beaufort, for example, is a wealthy banker who is known for his extravagant parties and his mistresses. Despite this, he is still accepted into New York society because of his wealth and his status.

Conclusion

Societal pressure is a central theme in Edith Wharton’s “The Age of Innocence.” The novel portrays the strict social norms and expectations of the upper-class society of New York in the late 19th century, which placed a significant burden on individuals to conform to certain behaviors, codes, and roles. The characters in the novel are torn between their desire for individual freedom and their sense of duty to conform to the expectations of their society.

Theme of societal pressure in The Age of Innocence:-Newland, Ellen, and May are all victims of societal pressure in different ways, and their struggles reflect the limitations and constraints of the society in which they live. Overall, “The Age of Innocence” offers a compelling critique of the oppressive nature of societal pressure and highlights the importance of individual agency and freedom in the face of social conformity.

FAQ.

Q. What is the plot of “The Age of Innocence”?

Ans. “The Age of Innocence” is a novel set in the upper-class society of New York in the late 19th century. It tells the story of Newland Archer, a wealthy lawyer who is engaged to May Welland, a proper and traditional young woman.

However, when May’s cousin Ellen Olenska returns to New York after separating from her husband, Newland finds himself drawn to her unconventional and free-spirited nature. The novel explores the themes of societal pressure, duty, and individual freedom as Newland struggles to reconcile his desire for Ellen with his sense of obligation to conform to the expectations of his society.

Q. What is the significance of the title “The Age of Innocence”?

Ans. The title “The Age of Innocence” refers to the societal norms and conventions of the upper-class society of New York in the late 19th century.

The novel critiques the oppressive nature of these societal pressures and highlights the limitations they place on individual agency and freedom. The title suggests that this age of innocence is not a time of purity and virtue, but rather a time of ignorance and blindness to the true nature of human desires and emotions.

Q. What are the major themes in “The Age of Innocence”?

Ans. The major themes in “The Age of Innocence” include societal pressure, duty, individual freedom, love, and the conflict between tradition and modernity. The novel explores how societal norms and expectations can limit individual agency and freedom, as well as how individuals navigate the tension between their personal desires and their sense of duty to conform to social expectations.

Q. What is the significance of the character of Ellen Olenska?

Ans. Ellen Olenska is a significant character in “The Age of Innocence” because she represents the conflict between tradition and modernity in the novel. She is a free-spirited and independent woman who challenges the societal norms and expectations of the upper-class society of New York.

Her presence in the novel disrupts the established order and exposes the limitations of the social hierarchy. Additionally, her relationship with Newland highlights the tension between individual desire and societal duty.