The Age of Innocence

Name: The Age of Innocence
Author: Edith Wharton

By Edith Wharton

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American Literature Novels

About This Book

A man engaged to a well-placed young woman becomes drawn to a relative whose return and unconventional past unsettle established expectations. The narrative traces his growing ambivalence as ritual, family pressure, and the etiquette of elite society determine choices and block alternatives. Through scenes of formal gatherings, private encounters, and interior reflection, the work examines social constraint, nostalgia for a narrowing world, and the personal costs of conformity.

About the Author

Edith Wharton

Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was an American novelist, short story writer, and designer, known for her keen observations of the American upper class and her exploration of social mores. Her most celebrated work, "The Age of Innocence," won the Pulitzer Prize in 1921 and reflects her critical perspective on the constraints of society. Wharton's literary contributions extend to various genres, including novels, poetry, and travel writing, with notable titles such as "Ethan Frome" and "A Motor-Flight Through France." Throughout her career, she adeptly navigated themes of love, betrayal, and the complexities of human relationships, establishing her as a significant figure in American literature.