Main Characters in The Age of Innocence
The Main Players 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 romantic triangle in the novel fit in relation to society and the protagonists, Newland Archer.
Newland Archer
At the beginning of the novel, Newland is prepared to announce his engagement to May Welland who is the epitome of innocence and beauty in Newland’s eyes. The arrival of Countess Ellen Olenska at the opera forces Newland to announce their engagement earlier than he intended. The appearance of Countess Olenska at such an important occasion sets her up as a contrasting figure to May. Soon the Countess and her unconventionality makes her a temptation to Newland. Where May is the epitome innocence, Countess Olenska is the embodiment of experience.
Soon, Newland finds himself drawn to the Countess not only because of her experience but also because of her vulnerability. The Countess reciprocates his passion. However, both Newland and the Countess decide that the greater good is more important than personal happiness. As a result, they deny their love even though New York society is certain that they are engaged in a torrid love affair.
Newland stays with May and the Countess leaves. May soon has their first child and Newland settles down into a life of fatherhood, philanthropy, and public service. After twenty-six years of marriage, May dies and Newland has the opportunity to meet the Countess in Paris. He walks away from the opportunity.
May Welland
May Welland is Newland Archer’s beautiful and proper wife. As a Mingott, she knows her place in society and does exactly what is expected of her to maintain her place in society. While she seems artless and innocent, May is more aware of Newland’s feelings and actions than he gives her credit for.
At the beginning of the novel, Newland finds May to be the embodiment of all that is good and innocent but as the novel progresses he begins to find in her the embodiment of all the rules and restrictions of Society that he detests.
May recognizes that while Newland may think he is above the dictates of Society, he will conform to them. She uses her knowledge against Newland and the Countess Olenska, May makes a timely revelation about her pregnancy to the Countess so that the Countess will refuse Newland. Later, when she feels that Newland will do something rash and try to leave her and go to the Countess, she reveals the pregnancy to him. May is a loyal wife and never mentions the affair to Newland.
Countess Ellen Olenska
Countess Ellen Olenska is Mrs. Manson Mingott’s granddaughter, which makes her May’s cousin. Her parent’s died when she was young. As a result, her eccentric Aunt Medora Manson raises her. Medora takes Ellen to Europe where she meets and marries the philandering Polish Count Olenski. The Countess tires of her marriage and leaves her husband and eventually she arrives in New York hoping to acquire a divorce. Her status makes her a scandalous figure whose presence threatens to ruin her family’s name and reputation.
While May is beautiful, proper, and innocent, Ellen is a sophisticated free spirit whose worldly experiences have been tragic. In Ellen, whose interests are artistic and intellectual, Newland finds a woman he can love passionately. However, while Ellen disregards most of Society’s rules, she is a decent and honorable woman, who will not ruin May’s marriage. After May reveals that she is pregnant, the Countess returns to Europe with her aunt so that she will no longer be a distraction to Newland.
Wharton, Edith. The Age of Innocence. D. Appleton and Company. 1991.
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