The Age of Innocence
Wharton presents Archer’s dilemma.
Ch 6 - 13
Mid Year Exam
• Please note that you will need to have your
examination text
• Unseen poetry
• The Age of Innocence Chapters 1 - 10
Chapter 6
• The chapter opens with a distinct sense of
Newland Archer’s new dilemma – the
dilemma created by Ellen Olenska’s return to
New York society
“The case of the Countess Olenska had stirred
up old settled convictions and set them
drifting dangerously through his mind. (p35)
Chapter 6
“Of course the dilemma was purely
hypothetical; since he wasn’t a blackguard
Polish nobleman…” p36
•The concept of ‘freedom’ for the modern
woman is addressed – “But here he was pledged
to defend, on the part of his betrothed’s cousin,
conduct on his own wife’s part, would justify
him calling down on her all the thunders of
Church and State”
Chapter 6
“He reviewed his friends’ marriages – the
supposedly happy ones – and saw none that
answered, even remotely, to the passionate and
tender comradeship which he pictured as his
permanent relationship with May Welland” p36
“Lawrence Lefferts occurred to him as the
husband who had most completely realised this
enviable ideal.”p36 – note the irony – “he had
formed a wife so completely to his own
convenience”
Chapter 6
• What of the presentation of May Welland?
“She was frank, poor darling, because she had
nothing to conceal, assured because she knew
of nothing to be on her guard against; and
with no better preparation than this, she was
to be plunged overnight into what people
evasively called ‘the facts of life.’” p37
Chapter 6
• The concept of “form” is accurately described
thus;
“In reality they all lived in a kind of hieroglyphic
world, where the real thing was never said or
done or even thought, but only represented as
a set of arbitrary signs” p36
Chapter 6
• The key concept of the chapter is the focus on
social insult after Mrs Manson Mingott’s
invitation to meet Countess Olenska is turned
down by almost all of New York society
• Archer’s appeal to his mother drives Mrs
Archer to approach the van der Luydens in
order to ‘right the social wrong’
Chapter 7
• The van der Luydens listen to Mrs Archer’s
appeal and eventually concoct a scheme by
which Ellen will be ‘reabsorbed’ into New
York society upon the return of their cousin
the Duke of Austry
• The talk focuses upon Lawrence Lefferts who
is deemed to be behind the public snub of
Ellen Olenska
Chapter 7
• The chapter is short but there are some useful
concepts embedded in the text that are useful
to the advanced reader
• In particular is the use of ‘knowing glances’
between characters such as;
“Their pale eyes clung together in prolonged
and serious consultation; then a faint smile
fluttered of Mrs. Van der Luyden’s face. She
had evidently guessed and approved” p46
Chapter 7
• Most notable is the reaction of the club box
after these arrangements;
“that evening at the Opera Mr. Sillerton Jackson
was able to state that the envelope contained
a card inviting the Countess Olenska to the
dinner that the van der Luydens were
giving…”
“glanced sideways at Lawrence Lefferts who sat
carelessly in the front of the box, pulling his
long moustache…” p47
Chapter 8
• The chapter is mainly concerned with the dinner
at the van der Luydens
• The principal figures in the chapter are Newland
Archer and Countess Olenska
• Despite the rumours that Ellen has ‘lost her
looks’ p48, Archer quickly reassesses her beauty
upon seeing her;
“there was about her the mysterious authority of
beauty, a sureness in the carriage of her head” p
50
Chapter 8
• The concepts of family and family history are
inevitably brought into the chapter
• Ellen Olenska (previously Ellen Mingott) is the
niece of Medora Manson (whose most recent
married name is Chivers) and whose mother
in turn was a Rushworth.
• The nature of which family holds most power
remains a social ‘secret’ held by a narrator
who assumes that we follow the train of
thought.
Chapter 8
• It is worth noting Newland Archer’s duality of
character in relation to Countess Olenska and
the expectations of New York society
“It was for such distinctions that the young man
cherished in old New York even while he
smiled at it” p50
• Archer’s attitude throughout the chapter
reflects this same division and this is further
extended in the chapters which follow
Chapter 8
• The Europe/New York ‘split’ is constantly
repeated especially in this chapter.
• Newland’s mother is a perfect representation
of the ‘correctly’ presented woman;
“reminded her son of an Isabey miniature” p 51
• The Duke too seems almost out of place – he
is only treated with reverence because of his
connection to the van der Luydens
Chapter 8
• A clear example of the dilemma that is to
come is shown as Archer watches Ellens
behaviour and apparent ‘lack of ettiquette’
p52 – “it was not the custom…the countess
was apparently unaware of having broken any
rule.”
• We should note how Wharton’s narrator
leaves the reader to decide whether Ellen is
aware or not
Chapter 8
• An interesting exchange occurs during
Archer’s conversation with Ellen
When she asks “Are you very much in love with
her?” he replies;
“As much as a man can be” to which she
responds;
“Do you think, then, there is a limit?” p52
Chapter 8
• May Welland’s entrance at the van der
Luyden’s is theatrical and once again,
clothing denotes status and virtue
“ her dress of white and silver, with a wreath of
silver blossoms in her hair. The tall girl looked
like Diana alighting for the chase” p57
• Q: Why is Newland a dinner guest but May
only an “after dinner guest”?
Chapter 8
• The chapter’s ending has a classic moment of
suggestion
“ just touching his knee with her plumed fan. It
was the lightest touch, but it thrilled him like a
caress.” p53
• This is immediately followed by her invitation
and Mrs van der Luyden’s ‘reminder’to
“dear Newland” of his fiance’s beauty
Chapter 9
• The much awaited meeting with Countess
Olenska is delayed by Wharton’s narrator
• The opening of the chapter focuses on
Archer’s desire to marry more quickly – he is,
ironically, frustrated by the requirements of
“form” because of the “round of family visits”
p 55
Chapter 9
• The appearance of Ellen in the chapter is
further delayed by her late appearance
• This allows Wharton’s narrator to focus on
the house both externally and within
• We are also informed that Newland has not
told May of his visit to Ellen’s house – why is
this?
Chapter 9
• The descriptions involve colour, art and
decoration upon a backdrop of shabbiness
and decay
• Archer surmises that Ellen has most likely lost
her fortune to Count Olenski
• However – this description indicates that he is
clearly ‘excited’ by what he observes
• What does the description suggest?
Chapter 9
• Newland’s response to Ellen’s art and
furnishings suggests further confusion – a
physical representation of his forthcoming
dilemma?
• His knowledge of art is like his knowledge of
‘form’ because it is studied (Ruskin et al p 57)
• His mind wanders to his future as he waits (p58)
– note “The young man felt that his fate was
sealed: for the rest of his life…she would
probably let him arrange his library as he
pleased…”
Chapter 9
• We are allowed a glimpse of Archer’s future
awareness of his world in his naïve thoughts
(p61)
“she did not begin to see…how nearly it had
crushed her…The Lovell Mingott’s
dinner…ought to have taught her the
narrowness of her escape”
• “It’s you who are telling me; opening my eyes
to things I’d looked at so long that I’d ceased
to see them.”
Chapter 9
• It is as he discusses the perils of New York
society that Ellen discusses her true situation
and appears most vulnerable
• It is at this point that Archer first uses the
name “Ellen” – p63
• “He drew down one of her hands, clasping
and chafing it like a child’s while he
murmured reassuring words; but in a moment
she freed herself and looked up at him with
wet lashes.”
Chapter 9
• The chapter notably closes with the reference
to the yellow roses
• Wharton’s use of symbolism is very clear here
• Lillies-of-the-valley for May
• Yellow roses for Ellen Olenska
Chapter 10
• The principal concern of the chapter is once
again to establish the nature of New York
society’s rigidity when it comes to expected
behaviour.
• It is comical to note that exceptions are
tolerated – especially ‘foreign’ figures such as
the Duke
• However, it is notable that Countess Olenska is
not included in this category
Chapter 10
“Countess Olenska is a New Yorker, and should
have respected the feelings of New York” p72
•What is especially interesting is the way Mrs
Archer considers New York – like a living,
conscious being rather than merely as a place.
Chapter 10
• Also notable are the increasing number of
‘clues’ to a change in the way in which
Archer perceives Ellen
“I’m not engaged to be married to the Countess
Olenska!” The words had a fantastic sound in
his own ears. P 70
Chapter 10
• The true impact of the chapter is subtly
embedded in Janey’s;
“Gracious – how romantic!” p 74
• The family members do not grasp her “elliptic
comments” but this is because the statement is
really intended for the reader. It signals
Wharton’s introduction of the concept of a
‘reckless’ romance
“Provided it all turns out for the best,” she said, in
a tone of one who knows how surely it will not.”