Comparing The Age Of Innocence And Ethan Frome

Edith Wharton, a notable American author, was born in the aristocratic New York society. Wharton’s works during the cutting edge of realism. She delves below the surface of relationships too depict he truth about relations regardless of class. Her life and opinions were evidently influential and were reflected in her novels. Despite the stark differences in the settings of her works, The Age of Innocence and Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton’s view on love and relationships reveal that all affairs have the same outcome and she also explores how society can play an important role in relationships regardless the era and social class. Edith Wharton employs distinct differences in both of her novels to prove a bigger idea and to demonstrate the connections.
This takes place in a high class setting of the vibrant Old New City society where the people are free spirited. The title is ironic and symbolic as it represents the change from youthfulness to the point where innocence is no longer celebrated. It was set in a ritualistic time period, which is a significant aspect of this novel, considering that World War 1 ended two years prior to when this novel was written. According to New York Times, World War 1is known as the “War to end all innocence”, which was reflected in the novel. The Old New York society is said to be “infinitely and ruthlessly primitive,” however, World War 1 has made a major cultural impact on the New York society. The old New York is corrupted by the European customs but they continue to live lavishly. The characters contrasted those of Ethan Frome. They have a higher social status and were more financially stabled. Observing these differences, Warton reveals that regardless of social classes and certain aspects of life that make a group more superior than another, there will be an immense amount of similarities in all group of people. After all, some challenges in relationships are