Summary Newland goes to Madame Olenska’s small, rented house “far down West 23rd Street,” in a strange, Bohemian quarter. The Countess is not home, so Newland has ample time to look around her drawing room. The room is intimate and exotic, unlike the staid, conservative rooms of his life. He […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book 1: Chapters IX-XISummary and Analysis Book 1: Chapters VII-VIII
Summary The van der Luydens are one of three New York families with aristocratic bloodlines. They listen to Mrs. Archer’s account of the slight conferred upon the Countess by New York society, and decide that a show of family loyalty would rectify the situation. Because Louisa’s relative, the Duke of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book 1: Chapters VII-VIIISummary and Analysis Book 1: Chapters IV-VI
Summary The “precise and inflexible” engagement ritual begins. Newland, May, and her mother go to old Mrs. Mingott’s house, where the pleasantries turn to the family blessing, the engagement ring, and the wedding day. During this conversation, Ellen and Julius Beaufort unexpectedly arrive. Ellen extends an impromptu invitation to Newland […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book 1: Chapters IV-VISummary and Analysis Book 1: Chapters II-III
Summary Newland is feeling embarrassed because the males in the audience are watching the Mingott box and he is trying to decide on a course of action to protect his beloved May from scandal. He realizes that the mystery lady must be May’s cousin, the Countess Ellen Olenska, who recently […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book 1: Chapters II-IIISummary and Analysis Book 1: Chapter I
Summary It is a January evening in the early 1870s at New York City’s fashionable Academy of Music — where the conservative, old rich families come to see and be seen. Faust is the opera and the theatregoers are watching the stage, but they are also observing the delicious dramas […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book 1: Chapter ICharacter List
May Welland Archer A young socialite, who marries Newland and settles down to a totally conventional life, following the lead of her mother in all areas and representing the societal attitudes of the wealthy social class and time period. Countess Ellen Olenska A granddaughter of Catherine Mingott and a cousin […]
Read more Character ListAbout The Age of Innocence
Over the years the interpretation and critical reception of The Age of Innocence has changed, keeping step with the attitudes of the times. When the novel first came out, the reading public supported Newland’s decision to go through with his marriage to May. May’s lie about her pregnancy to Ellen […]
Read more About The Age of InnocenceBook Summary
All of old New York is at the ball, gossiping about the Countess. Later, when the family plans a dinner to introduce her to society, no one accepts. Without delay, the Mingott family enlist the help of ancient social sages, Henry and Louisa van der Luyden, to shore up support […]
Read more Book Summary