| Description |
This project studies the manner in which Edith Wharton characterizes turn of the century New York. It consists of three essays focusing on three of Wharton's most critically successful novels, The House ofMirth, The Custom of the Country and The Age ofInnocence. In each 'of these works, Wharton uses the figure of her protagonist to explore the nuances of the New York aristocracy. The exploration of these nuances carries over to the character's psychological profile. This manifestation of society's influence in the characters represents another aspect of Wharton's social history. The essays identify several common themes that emerge from Wharton's treatment of New York. The first essay, taken from The House ofMirth, focuses on the material values that dominate this society, and how this influences the individual's system of beliefs. The thesis of this essay, however, postulates that an alternate set of values challenges the dominance of society's influence upon the individual. In this case, Wharton critiques this society through her protagonist, Lily Bart, and Lily's internal struggles. The second essay traces Undine Spragg's rise through the New York social set in The Custom of The Country. It continues following the theme of a struggle between social values. In the work, however, Wharton expands the scope to define a clash of cultures. This essay traces the emerging definition of these cultures, and shows how the figure of Undine opens the avenue to a detailed exploration of these values. The final essay is an examination of The Age ofInnocence in the style of the first two works. The essay concentrates on Wharton's use of reality in the novel to depict the New York society. The theme of reality provides a means to investigate the relationship between New York society and the individuals that it forms. This project identifies strategies and literary complexities in Edith Wharton's work that capture her characterization of her native society. In the process, it critiques Wharton's work on a level that challenges common characterization of Wharton as nothing more than a social historian. |
