Study Guide for Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence.
Identify or define the following: Newland Archer May Welland Ellen Mingott Olenska Mrs. Manson Mingott Medora Manson Mrs. Thorley Chivers Mr. Sillerton Jackson
Miss Sophy Jackson Larry Lefferts Julius Beaufort Mrs. Carfry and Miss Harle Mrs. Rushworth Mrs. Regina Beaufort Fanny Ring Henry and Louise van der Luyden Duke of St. Austrey Mrs. Lemuel Struthers Ned Winsett Mrs. Archer Janey Archer Dallas Archer Mr. Riviere Nastasia Mr. Letterblair
How are these places important to the story: Skuytercliff Paris Boston Newport, RI
St. Augustine Wallack’s Theater The Academy of Music (NY)
What is the significance of beginning the story at the opera Faust? Is there any significance to Margaret’s singing The Daisy Song (“M’ama”)?
How is Dion Boucicault’s play The Shaughraun important to the story?
What other literary or artistic works are mentioned prominently? Do they have some relation to the story of Newland, May and Ellen? Is there any common theme which links the various literary texts that are mentioned?
What is the effect of referring repeatedly to ‘poor Ellen,’ ‘old Mrs. Manson Mingott,’ or ‘old Mr. Sillerton Jackson’? Do the appellations affect our perception of these persons?
What is the effect of having so many of the characters in this story bear similar names?
What is the mystery of Julius Beaufort‘s past, and why is so much made of this?
How is Newland Archer’s study (library) important in the story? What happens here? How many ‘library’ scenes are there? Do these scenes organize Archer’s story in any way?
Why is May Welland compared repeatedly to the classical Greek goddess Diana? Does Newland Archer’s name suggest any classical deity who might be juxtaposed to Diana? Is Ellen Olenska associated with any mythological figure (e.g. Helen, Elaine)?
What is the role of Winsett the journalist? Is he to be seen as a ‘double’ of Newland Archer? Is Mr. Rivière a double?
Can we see Larry Lefferts or Julius Beaufort as ‘doubles’ of Newland Archer?
Can we see May’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Welland, as being premonitory doubles of Newland and May? If so, what sort of married life is implied for the Archers?
Where in
What is the significance of Newland Archer’s trip to
What does their trip abroad tell us about May and Newland, and their set?
Compare the manners of the Europeans to the manners of Old New York.
What is the meaning of the key that Ellen sends to Newland
Archer as she leaves
Last question: what
is the meaning of the title The Age of
Innocence? Does the title apply to
the characters? To the
1870s in
Student-generated Study Topics for The Age of Innocence
1. How is the novel a critique of the upper classes of Old New York?
2. How is the law firm for which Archer works reflective of society?
3. In Old
4. How does Old New York view work or one’s occupation? Is Archer Newland’s
profession, being an attorney, important or meaningful to the story?
5. How does Old New York society change in the course of the story?
6. Discuss the inequality of sexual freedom in Old New York society.
7. Can you describe the various ‘roles’ assigned to each gender in this story? Are any contrary to the usual stereotypical roles of women and men in society?
8. What do the houses and clothes worn by the various characters say about them?
9. Examine the recurring theme of “avoiding the unpleasant.”
10. Many characters in Old New York are reclusive. Why?
11. Compare May
12. Discuss the role of Ned Winsett and his wife in the story.
13. Examine the attitude of the male figures toward Ellen Olenska.
14. Does May Welland Archer change in the course of the story? How? How much does May know of Archer’s infatuation? Why does May pretend to be naïve about Archer’s actions?
15. Compare the other prominent marriages in the story to the marriage of Archer and May.
16. What does a foreign country represent to Newland Archer?
To May? How do they behave when they travel to
17. What is the significance of the torn/stained wedding dress? What about May’s dress in general?
18. What does Newland Archer’s practice of opening windows indicate? When or under what circumstances does he open them?
19. What does the end of the story reveal about Archer? What does Archer’s decision-to not visit Ellen in Paris-say about his values? Which is greater for him, love or money? Stability? Social status?
20. Compare the relation of Archer to Ellen and May with the relations of Edna Pontellier to Leonce and Robert.
21. Compare Dallas Archer to his father Newland.
22. How does Archer’s view of Old New York change during the story?