The Age of Innocence

Theme: Social Issues “Newland felt more and more embarrassed. The men were all staring into the box where May was sitting between her mother and her aunt, he didn’t recognise the lady in the strange dress, and he didn’t know why everyone was so shocked to see her.”   In this Reader you will find: A short biography of the author, Edith Wharton | Culture and society in 1870s New York | Final test   Tags Love | Culture and Society   Newland Archer, heir to one of New York City’s best families, is planning a proper marriage, a perfect product of New York society. One night he meets May’s cousin, the Countess Ellen Olenska. This exotic and beautiful woman has returned to New York from Poland after a mysterious scandal. Newland becomes caught in a battle between duty and mystery, between tradition and the power of love.