Age of Innocence
LITERATURE PRESENTATION 6
CHAPTER 13
1. How is the description of the ‘sad, almost monosyllabic scene of parting’ in paragraph 3 and 4 significant? Who are we reminded of when the narrator details the actress’s costume?
Actor’s description: Is said to have romantic good looks
Similar to: Newland Archer
Actress’ description: She wore a grey cashmere dress which was simple and a narrow black velvet ribbon.
Similar to: May Welland
The scene in the play which Newland always goes to watch is significant as it symbolises the parting of Newland from Ellen. It shows us how Newland Archer perceives the occurrences between Ellen and him till then. It also gives us a sense of how Archer feels about the ‘leave-taking’ from Ellen as he gets very emotional and is deeply affected by it. It gives foreshadows his growing affections for Ellen.
2. Why does the narrator reveal that Archer ‘always’ watches The Shaughraun for the goodbye scene? * Compares it to Paris and London, European countries. This shows his appreciation and preference for foreign/European style. Foreshadows growing emotions for Ellen as she is seen by most (including himself) as foreign/European.
* The play is staged in the theatre hence the theatre motif of old new york is present, representing May Welland and Newland Archer, people/products of Old New York.
* The goodbye scene reminded him of him leaving Ellen from her apartment ‘leave-taking from Madame Olenska’. This also foreshadows the relationship and the romantic interest of Ellen Olenska, drawing similarities between lovers parting and his own departure with Ellen.
3. From the entire passage what is being suggested about his desires and pretensions?
Recurring theme of Newland’s Idealism
What – Newland, throughout the novel, constantly idealizes himself to be a hero of sorts, with his damsel in distress being Ellen Olenska. ‘Wherein, then, lay the resemblance that made the young man’s heart beat with
CHAPTER 13
1. How is the description of the ‘sad, almost monosyllabic scene of parting’ in paragraph 3 and 4 significant? Who are we reminded of when the narrator details the actress’s costume?
Actor’s description: Is said to have romantic good looks
Similar to: Newland Archer
Actress’ description: She wore a grey cashmere dress which was simple and a narrow black velvet ribbon.
Similar to: May Welland
The scene in the play which Newland always goes to watch is significant as it symbolises the parting of Newland from Ellen. It shows us how Newland Archer perceives the occurrences between Ellen and him till then. It also gives us a sense of how Archer feels about the ‘leave-taking’ from Ellen as he gets very emotional and is deeply affected by it. It gives foreshadows his growing affections for Ellen.
2. Why does the narrator reveal that Archer ‘always’ watches The Shaughraun for the goodbye scene? * Compares it to Paris and London, European countries. This shows his appreciation and preference for foreign/European style. Foreshadows growing emotions for Ellen as she is seen by most (including himself) as foreign/European.
* The play is staged in the theatre hence the theatre motif of old new york is present, representing May Welland and Newland Archer, people/products of Old New York.
* The goodbye scene reminded him of him leaving Ellen from her apartment ‘leave-taking from Madame Olenska’. This also foreshadows the relationship and the romantic interest of Ellen Olenska, drawing similarities between lovers parting and his own departure with Ellen.
3. From the entire passage what is being suggested about his desires and pretensions?
Recurring theme of Newland’s Idealism
What – Newland, throughout the novel, constantly idealizes himself to be a hero of sorts, with his damsel in distress being Ellen Olenska. ‘Wherein, then, lay the resemblance that made the young man’s heart beat with