The Age of Innocence

Why is clothing an important motif in Wharton’s novel? How do Ellen and May’s attitudes toward clothing convey their social position and personality?

How does Wharton portray the relationship between America and Europe? How do characters experience the difference between these continents?

Are Archer and Ellen actually in love with one another or simply attracted to the rebelliousness of their unfulfilled longing and fantasies of escape? Use textual evidence to support your answer.

Is May sympathetic? Why or why not?

How does the novel treat innocence? Does Wharton show any instances of true innocence, or is the virtue a fabrication of Old New York society?

How would you describe the style of communication in Old New York? To what extent does it contribute to misunderstandings and lack of intimacy?

What is the significance of interior spaces in Wharton’s novel? How do the author’s descriptions of different characters’ living quarters reveal their personalities? 

Wharton adopts third person closed perspective to channel her narrative through Archer’s thoughts. How does this affect our understanding of events? Is Archer a reliable second-hand narrator? Why or why not?