The Age of Innocence :: Age of Innocence Essays

The Age of Innocence   The Age of Innocence, by Edith Wharton, contains many flat, static characters representing Old New York auberge. At the apex of that society is Mr. and Mrs. Henry new wave der Luyden. As the narrator describes, their appearances argon rare, but yet these few appearances provide more than enough t apieceing for the reader to "know" the characters. This information comes from several sources. The first is the narrator, when most of Old New York society is described. The second reference involves Newland Archer and Mrs. Mingotts seeking of approval of the van der Luydens and the exchanges that took place. The final good example is the rare occasion of a dinner at the van der Luyden home and the occurrences here. From the information here, readers develop a complete picture of the van der Luydens. At the dismiss of chapter VI, the narrator describes the hierarchy of Old New York. The last family described is the van der Luydens. The narrator writes, "the van der Luydensstood above all of them" (50). The narrator blatantly tells us that the van der Luydens are the highest "ranking" family of Old New York society. Just previous to this, the narrator informs the reader that they descended from both British and French aristocracy, supporting the fact that the van der Luydens are the most revered family. Next the narrator makes it known to readers that "Mrs. and Mr. van der Luyden were so exactly alike neither had ever reached a decision without prefacing it by a incomprehensible conclave" (52), this conclave being, "I shall first have to talk this everyplace with my husband/wife." This shows that, single, the van der Luydens cannot be characterized separately for they are exactly alike, and, two, they consult each other before making decisions. Once again the narrator brings forward, quite openly, information about said characters. The narrators informing the reader of such(prenominal) fa cts sets up the reasoning behind the characters motivations, and the reactions of other characters. One of such instances involves Archer and Mrs. Mingotts seeking of the advice of the van der Luydens. First, it is important to note that double-checking ones plans, as Archer does here, indicates the high status of the van der Luydens. Archer and Mrs. Mingotts having to ask another family for the "proper" thing to do proves their dominance over society and that they are the experts of "good form.