Central Characters in The Age of Innocence
Important People in Edith Wharton’s Commentary on New York Society
May 13, 2009
Social pressure on the individual and how it shapes society drives the plot of Edith Wharton’s novel, The Age of Innocence. The theme of societal pressure and its expectations place all other themes in the novel under it in the hierarchy of importance because societal pressure dictates how the other themes are played out. As a result, it is important to know where all the characters in the novel fit in relation to society and the protagonist, Newland Archer.
Mrs. Catherine Mingott
Mrs. Mingott is Ellen and May’s morbidly obese grandmother. Previously known as Catherine Spicer of Staten Island, she comes from less respectable stock than many in New York Society however a smart marriage and subsequent widowhood at the age of 28 placed her at the pinnacle of the Mingott clan. In addition, her own irreproachable morals after the death her husband has gained her tremendous respect. However, some of her ideas are eccentric and unorthodox.
Henry and Louisa van der Luyden
The van der Luyden’s are at the pinnacle of New York Society. They are Dutch aristocrats whose family tree in America pre-dates the Revolutionary war. Their family’s social status causes everyone in New York to covet their approval. The Countess perceives the real reason for their influence when she says that the reason “For their great influence [is]; that they make themselves so rare.” (74)
Medora Manson
Medora Manson is Ellen’s eccentric aunt who raises Ellen after her parents die. Medora has been widowed numerous times and has nearly depleted her resources. New York Society barely tolerates her.
Mrs. Archer
Mrs. Archer is Newland’s mother. She is shy and reclusive. Mrs. Archer is extremely conventional even in her own home. She and Janey share a room so that Newland can have a masculine space for himself. Even though Janey is quite mature, Mrs. Archer protects her from anything that is unfit for virginal ears. Newland’s progressive views often shock his mother. She relies on her son and Sillerton Jackson to keep her informed with the latest gossip.
Janey Archer
Janey Archer is Newland’s spinster sister. She and her mother are close and as she grows older they behave like sisters. They grow ferns, gossip, and make lace together.
Dallas Archer
Dallas Archer is Newland’s outgoing, spontaneous, artistic oldest son. His marriage to the daughter from Beaufort’s second marriage shows how New York society has changed by the end of the novel.
Wharton, Edith. The Age of Innocence. D. Appleton and Company. 1991.
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