Pierpont on Wharton’s “The Age of Innocence”

In reading Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence, I can agree that Wharton’s writing style is “mature.” Wharton writes sophisticated sentences with intricate vocabulary and clear details that illustrate both the plot of the text and emotions of the various characters. Moreover, Claudia Pierpont describes Wharton’s description of Archer to have “a complex mixture of warmth and loathing” (29), which slowly unravels as Archer soon finds himself attracted to Countess Olenska while maintaining his relationship with May. Still, Pierpont’s depiction of Archer can be seen through Wharton’s words when she portrays Archer at the end of the Beaufort’s annual ball, as he thinks to himself “but I shall never let her see by the least sign that I am conscious of there being a shadow of a shade on poor Ellen Olenska’s reputation.” In this quotation, Archer states both his distaste of May not telling him the complete truth about Countess Olenska’s absence, as well as his early sympathy for “poor Ellen” as he implies that she doesn’t deserve to have criticism of her reputation. Nevertheless, this also suggests that Archer will continue to stay true to May, yet, continue to defend Ellen Olenska, thus, revealing the complexity of Archer’s balancing of his open feelings for May and hidden feelings for Ellen (which he later expresses). In other words, Wharton accurately matches Pierpont’s interpretation of a specific character [Archer] as she displays Archer’s struggle whether to accept traditional or personal morals and culture, as represented through May and Ellen, respectively.

On the other hand, Claudia Pierpont doesn’t give much information regarding Edith Wharton and The Age of Innocence as she focuses on a multitude of Wharton’s texts in association with her life. Towards the conclusion of her essay, however, Pierpont gives what Wharton generally depicts in her works: “a strong plot, a brilliant but self-divided heroine, a full supply of negative heroes, and a smash surprise at the end” (33). One could argue that The Age of Innocence contains all of these aspects. The plot is dramatic enough to give the reader anticipation to wonder what will occur next, along with diverse characters with their understanding(s) of New York social standards. Countess Olenska is the heroine who gradually adapts to life in New York, but can’t decide for herself whether to divorce her husband or (later) return home to Europe, especially with Archer playing a crucial factor in dealing with her emotions. With this being said, much repulsion comes from the various families (e.g. Archers, Wellands, Jacksons, Beauforts, etc), who judge Countess Olenska’s appearance and see her as an outcast who can’t fit in with New York social standards, which they strictly adhere to. Finally, the “smash surprise” is Archer not accompanying his son to meet Ellen in the distant future, which is surprising since the rest of the book, ever since the beginning, was concerning his relationship with her. Overall, Pierpont’s limited description of Wharton’s “mature” writing style is precise as The Age of Innocence reflects the conflict between loyalty to others and individual freedom in adapting to society, as seen through an interesting plot, diverse characters, and vivid details, concerning New York society.