Wharton looks closely at the double standards which were employed by society at the time, and the importance of conforming to social codes however constraining and inegalitarian these were. There are strictly imposed concepts of acceptable behaviour, with regard to interpersonal relationships, suitable business occupations, marriage customs and so on: despite the superficial politeness which people display, the penalties for breaking these codes are severe, in terms of the social ostracism which results.

For example, whilst adultery is not officially condoned, men who have affairs gai

The contrasts between the politeness and formality of society as a whole, and the way in which relationships are conducted, is also ironic. Infidelity is rife, and yet this is not admitted as long as the marriages in question maintain a façade of public respectability, and this in itself depends on which of the partners has been unfaithful.

His reaction to Ellen exhibits more passion than he displays towards May and yet he is reassuring everyone (including himself?) that his engagement to her has arisen out of love rather than social convention. Here, Wharton clearly shows the difference between the two ‘types’ of women in society: May is virginal, inaccessible and therefore suitable to become a wife. Ellen, on the other hand, is experienced, unconventional and passionate, which renders her completely unsuitable. However, it is Ellen who attracts Newland the most, despite the fact that her most attractive qualities are the ones most disapproved of by the society in which he lives.

Social codes are transmitted from generation to generation, and never questioned, which makes it extremely difficult for individuals to transcend these cultural constraints and learn to formulate their own opinions and act by their own moral and ethical codes rather than the ones which have been imposed on them by generations of established social behaviour.

Newland is caught between conflicting desires. He wants his freedom, and he wants to be with Ellen, but he does not want to reject society in order to do so. His comments about the need to be free can be seen in a more and more ironic light as it becomes obvious that he will have to go through with the marriage to May, and that the complexities and convolutions of society are winning over Ellen’s clear perception and plain speaking.

It is ironic that, in terms of the way in which May later demonstrates shrewdness and the capacity for cynicism, Newland should worry about corrupting her innocence: however, it is interesting that he is also beginning to have an inkling of how important social forces are in constructing the personas which individuals adopt in order to be accepted in society.

Some topics in this essay:
Newland Ellen, Age Innocence, Mingott’s Ellen, Ellen Newland, Diana Roman, Ironically Newland, social convention, social codes, Edith Wharton’s, , wife ellen, women expected, ‘people novels’, escape social, york society, throughout narrative, ellen divorce, codes society,