Compare Wharton's depiction of New York society life with what you know about tribal societies, past or present. Do you think that Newland Archer's use of anthropological terms to describe his community is justified? If so, what can you conclude about human nature? If not, why do you suppose Newland thinks of his environment in this way?
Compare and contrast Countess Ellen Olenska in The Age of Innocence and Hester Prynne in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter.
Consider the novel's title, and make a case for why you believe Wharton chose it. Do you find that there are multiple meanings, or does the title refer to one specific character or event in the novel?
.....
This is a free excerpt of 113 words. This section contains 224 words. This
study guide contains 23,572 words (approx. 79 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Literature Guide with our The Age of Innocence Access Pass.
