The Age of Innocence Summary
Description
Here you will find a The Age of Innocence summary (Edith Wharton's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters
Chapters
The Age of Innocence Summary Overview
Newland Archer finds himself in a state of elation following his engagement to the stunning young May Welland. His happiness is soon disrupted, however, by the arrival of May's cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska, freshly returned to America after leaving her unfaithful husband. With her daring attire, relaxed demeanor, and scandalous rumors surrounding her, the Countess ignites shockwaves among New York's high society. Yet, due to her influential family under the matriarch, Mrs. Manson Mingott, May and Archer feel obliged to keep her within their circles. As he gets to know Ellen better, Archer grows fond of her unorthodox perceptions of their social world. Simultaneously, his enthusiasm for his bride-to-be, May, dwindles as he perceives her as a reflection of her societal upbringing: courteous, naive, and lacking personal conviction and identity. When the Countess announces her plans to divorce her husband, Archer, while supportive of her pursuit for independence, feels obligated to convince her to stay married for the sake of her family's reputation. During a retreat near Hudson, Archer confesses to himself his love for Ellen, leading him to suddenly leave for Florida where he reunites with May and her family. Once there, he tries to hasten their wedding plans. May grows suspicious, questioning if his rush stems from doubts about their union. In an effort to pacify her, Archer insists he is indeed in love with her. Upon returning to New York, he admits his love to Ellen, only to receive a message from May, stating that their wedding has been expedited. Following their wedding and a honeymoon in Europe, Archer and May begin their life as a married couple in New York. Over the years, his memories of Ellen become a distant, yearning image. However, a chance reunion with her in Newport rekindles his feelings. She promises to stay in America as long as their love remains unexpressed. Back in New York, Archer discovers that Count Olenski wants Ellen back, but she refuses. After her grandmother suffers a stroke, Ellen returns to New York to look after her. She and Archer plan to surrender to their passion, but suddenly, Ellen decides to return to Europe. May, who has just announced her pregnancy, throws a farewell party for Ellen. After the guests depart, she reveals to Archer that she had shared the news with Ellen a fortnight ago. Fast forward twenty-five years, Archer and May have had three children, and May has passed away from pneumonia. Archer's son, convincing his father to visit France, arranges a meeting with Countess Olenska at her Parisian residence. But Archer, in the end, sends his son to see her alone, deciding to cherish the memories of his past instead.
book 1
The story begins in a new opera house, where Newland Archer, the central character, arrives late to join his friends. He spots his soon-to-be wife May Welland, admiring her innocence and purity. His daydreaming is interrupted by Larry Lefferts who draws his attention to a stranger in May's box. This woman, dressed in a dramatic, revealing outfit, is Ellen Olenska, May's cousin who has returned to New York after living abroad and allegedly leaving her unfaithful husband. Newland appreciates Mrs. Manson Mingott, May's grandmother, for supporting the scandalous Ellen by letting her live with her and even accompanying her to the opera. However, Newland frets over the scrutiny their family might face due to Ellen's presence. Feeling responsible, he takes his place with the women during intermission, subtly showing his support for them. Following the opera, there's a ball at the Beauforts' residence where Newland and May announce their engagement. May asks Newland to inform Ellen about their engagement, given she didn't attend the ball. Newland and May then visit Mrs. Mingott. During this visit, Newland notices Mrs. Mingott's acceptance of Ellen being seen in public with Julius Beaufort, a married man, which he disapproves of. Over dinner with his mother and sister, Newland defends Ellen's actions and expresses his wish for her to divorce her husband. Alone later, he contemplates his forthcoming marriage to May, realizing her innocence is born out of ignorance and his marriage may not be as he envisioned. Thereafter, the family is distressed when many refuse to attend a dinner in Ellen's honor. Newland asks his mother to speak to influential society figures, the van der Luydens, to rectify this slight. Newland learns more about Ellen's past and her troubled marriage. He visits her at her home, where they discuss his engagement to May, and she requests him to visit her again. Despite Ellen's bohemian and unconventional perspectives, Newland finds himself drawn to her. He later sends her a bouquet of yellow roses impulsively. Later, Newland tries to persuade May to shorten their engagement but fails. He realizes that May might never be able to think for herself due to her sheltered upbringing. The situation worsens when Newland learns that Ellen has been seen at a somewhat scandalous party, and he feels compelled to defend her. When he finally meets Ellen again, he persuades her not to divorce her husband to avoid scandal, despite his own feelings for her. Following this, Newland unexpectedly leaves to join May and her family in Florida, leaving behind unresolved feelings and a potentially scandalous situation.
book 2
As book two commences, Archer is getting married, with thoughts of Ellen clouding his mind. Post-wedding, May and Archer journey to their honeymoon spot, only to find that they've been redirected to a quaint ancestral cottage. Their honeymoon ensues in Europe, where May's apprehension towards meeting Archer's foreign friends becomes evident. Archer surrenders on attempting to enlighten his wife, accepting that his intellectual pursuits will remain separate from his domestic life. At a dinner party in London, Archer is fascinated by a Frenchman who strongly beliefs in intellectual freedom, despite poverty. When he suggests inviting the Frenchman to dinner to May, she dismisses the idea, indicative of their future disagreements. Their honeymoon over, the couple settles into married life, with Ellen lingering as a distant memory. Archer's encounter with Ellen at a beach ends inconclusively, marking her shift from his present to past. Wharton portrays the abrupt transition from book one to two as disorienting, comparing Archer's inability to control the wedding events to the inevitability of the ceremony. She satirizes societal norms, highlighting their absurdity through the stringent rituals of the wedding. Back in Newport, Archer grapples with the monotony of married life. His visit to Ellen's residence coincides with her departure to Boston, and he decides to follow her. In Boston, their conversation reveals their mutual longing and Ellen's refusal to return to Europe because of him. Her promise of not returning to her husband or Europe as long as they do not act on their feelings leaves Archer in a state of despair. May's ignorance towards Archer's possible infidelity allows him to keep up appearances. The couple's return to New York coincides with a financial crash that affects their social circle, and Mrs. Mingott suffering a stroke. When Ellen agrees to stay with Mrs. Mingott, Archer sees it as a sign of her own longing. Despite the shared agreement with Ellen, Archer feels a sense of dread. When he learns of Ellen's decision to return to Europe, Archer is left in shock. When May discloses her pregnancy, Archer realizes that his dreams of a life with Ellen are shattered. The narrative then jumps 25 years into the future, with a widowed Archer now a father. He declines an opportunity to meet Ellen in Paris, preferring to keep her alive in his memories.
