The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

Newland Archer, a wealthy young lawyer, is engaged to May Welland, a beautiful and innocent society girl. However, his life is disrupted when he meets Countess Ellen Olenska, May's cousin, who has returned to New York after a scandalous divorce. Despite his initial disapproval of the Countess, Newland becomes increasingly fascinated by her exotic and worldly nature, which contrasts with the conventional and naive May. As Newland struggles with his growing feelings for the Countess, he must confront the societal norms and expectations that govern his life.

By Edith Wharton · First published 1920 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Social Criticism · 34 chapters · 121,372 words

First lines

On a January evening of the early seventies, Christine Nilsson was singing in Faust at the Academy of Music in New York.

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The Age of Innocence is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edith Wharton, dated 1920 CE.

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• Work type: Novel
• Author: Edith Wharton
• Date: 1920 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Social Criticism, Psychological Fiction
• Length: 121,372 words
• Structure: 34 chapters, 2,132 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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• Work identity for The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles

• A Meeting by Edith Wharton
• The Valley Of Decision by Edith Wharton
• Two Backgrounds by Edith Wharton
• The Reckoning by Edith Wharton
• The Touchstone by Edith Wharton
• A Cup Of Cold Water by Edith Wharton

Genres

• Historical Fiction — Set in the late 19th century, it explores societal norms and expectations of the time.
• Romance — Central plot revolves around a love triangle and unfulfilled romantic desires.
• Social Criticism — Critiques the upper class society and its constraints on individual freedom.
• Psychological Fiction — Delves into the inner thoughts and emotions of the characters.

Tags

Romance · Social Class · Marriage · Society · New York City · Gilded Age · Upper Class · Morality · Tradition · Conformity · Individuality · Love Triangle

Contents

• CHAPTER I
• CHAPTER II
• CHAPTER III
• CHAPTER IV
• CHAPTER V
• CHAPTER VI
• CHAPTER VII
• CHAPTER VIII
• CHAPTER IX
• CHAPTER X
• CHAPTER XI
• CHAPTER XII
• CHAPTER XIII
• CHAPTER XIV
• CHAPTER XV
• CHAPTER XVI
• CHAPTER XVII
• CHAPTER XVIII
• CHAPTER XIX
• CHAPTER XX
• CHAPTER XXI
• CHAPTER XXII
• CHAPTER XXIII
• CHAPTER XXIV
• CHAPTER XXV
• CHAPTER XXVI
• CHAPTER XXVII
• CHAPTER XXVIII
• CHAPTER XXIX
• CHAPTER XXX
• CHAPTER XXXI
• CHAPTER XXXII
• CHAPTER XXXIII
• CHAPTER XXXIV

More by Edith Wharton

• Atrophy (1937)
• A Bottle of Perrier (1924)
• Mr. Jones (1924)
• After Holbein (1924)
• Dieu D'Amour (1924)
• The Refugees (1924)
• The Spark (1924)
• The Old Maid (1924)
• All works by Edith Wharton