The Old Maid Sexism

Trapped by Society
Wharton’s novella, The Old Maid, carefully details the lives of the Old New York elite in the 1850s. Despite having all the glitz and glamor associated with a lavish lifestyle, many of the characters do not have the courage to effect change in their lives. The truth of the matter is that money creates the illusion of free will because individuals are still limited by strict societal expectations, specifically unwritten codes of behavior, that if not followed results in bitter judgment. While this ironic repression is felt throughout society, it clearly affects women much more. This is seen through the intuitions of marriage and motherhood, and plays out in how Charlotte's out of wedlock child Tina is brought up and raised.
Although this book depicts women in a sexist way, by establishing the limits and imprisonment of wealthy women in society, Wharton acts as an advocate for women’s rights and ultimately an advocate for change.
Throughout the novel, it is readily apparent that the world in which the characters are forced to live is completely dominated by materialism. The time period of this story is not that far from when the Dutch and English settled the area, and similarly it is a clear that the families of old New York came to the New World not out of religious convictions but with the intention of making money. This drive for money is completely consuming and leads many families to become extremely conservative. The Ralston family, into which Delia Lovell marries, is no exception, and in fact, they are so stingy that the make other families
This sense of scheming against patriarchal society is most apparent when Delia refuses to tell Jim that Tina is Charlett’s child. Delia believes that this secret is necessary because otherwise the child could not be let into the house, and being a loving husband Jim concedes money for the orphan. This decision appears to be the most consequential and independent decision that Delia makes throughout the whole story. However, as the Doctor Lanskell claims, “I know Jim: he asked you no questions when you took the child-but he knew whose she was” (158). When Delia finds out that Jim knew her secret all along it completely devalues her existence. This is because the most important decision of her life only happened because her husband allows it to. In addition, this moment is also incredibly patronizing because by not telling his wife that he knows, Jim essentially lets her have her moment. This is similar to a parent letting a child win an argument, and as a result, there is the illusion of free will. Due to this sense of utter powerlessness women attempt to become empowered by a need to scheme. This is written about in a very sexist and judgmental way, as women are depicted as stereotypically catty. But there is a reason for this, since they can’t take power over men the exert power