分析《纯真年代》所反映的“老纽约”社会英语毕业论文
NYANG INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
本科毕业论文分析《纯真年代》所反映的“老纽约”社会
Analysis of “the Old New York” Society
Reflected in The Age of Innocence
学院名称：外国语学院
专业班级：英语09-2
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2013年5 月
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Table of Contents
摘要..........................................................................................III Abstract.......................................................................................I V Introduction (1)
Chapter 1 Literature Background and Plot Summary (3)
1. 1 The historical background of The Age of Innocence (3)
1. 2 The plot summary of The Age of Innocence (3)
Chapter 2 New York Upper Class?Attitudes Towards the Relationship Among the Three Major Characters (5)
2. 1 Upper class?attitudes towards the relationship between Newland and
May (5)
2.1.1 Newland?s attitude towards his relationship with May (5)
2.1.2 May?s attitude towards her relationship with Newland (6)
2.1.3 Ellen?s attitude towards the relationship between Newland and
May (7)
2.1.4 Relatives and friends?attitudes towards the relationship between
Newland and May (7)
2.2 Upper class?attitudes towards the relationship between Newland and
Ellen (8)
2.2.1 Newland?s attitude towards his relationship with Ellen (8)
2.2.2 Ellen?s attitude towards her relationship with Newland (9)
2.2.3 May?s attitude towards the relationship between Newland and Ellen (10)
2.2.4 Relatives and friends?attitudes towards the retionship between Newland
and Ellen (12)
Chapter 3 The Social Features of the “Old New York” (12)
3. 1 The conservatism of “old New York” (12)
3. 2 The hypocrisy of “old New York” (13)
3. 3 The snobbism of “old New York” (14)
Conclusion (16)
Acknowledgements (17)
Bibliography (18)
分析《纯真年代》所反映的“老纽约”社会
摘要: 伊迪丝·华顿是美国著名小说家之一。她一生创作出大量杰出作品，其中《纯真年代》诠释了华顿一生的历程，浓缩了她思想的精髓。这部小说对当代起着不可小视的作用。小说以贵族青年纽兰和埃伦的爱情悲剧为主线，以新兴资产阶级的代表博福特的命运沉浮为辅，相互映衬，反映出内战之后美国上流社会最典型的时代特征。
本文首先简要介绍伊迪丝·华顿本人及其作品。其次介绍了《纯真年代》的时代背景以及主要内容梗概。小说通过贵族青年纽兰与埃伦之间的爱情悲剧故事，展现出19世纪70年代末纽约上流社会的风貌。接着主要阐述纽约上流社会对三位主人公间关系的看法。年轻儒雅的纽兰深陷在遵守社会规范和追求真爱的两难境地，热情奔放的埃伦摇摆于摆脱婚姻的枷锁与聆听真情的呐喊之间，而天真纯洁的梅则致力于维护自己的婚姻和保全虚妄的社会地位。而亲戚朋友们为了家族名誉与梅合谋赶走埃伦，所有这些看似简单的情节却蕴含着人性的冷漠与世俗的捆绑。再接下来具体分析“老纽约”的社会特点。通过分析小说主要人物间的关系，以及亲戚朋友和他们自身对其关系的看法及他们的最终选择，不难看出纽约上流社会保守、虚伪和势利的特点。最后为结语，系统阐述文章的主旨内涵。
关键词: 伊迪丝·华顿老纽约社会特点
Analysis of “the Old New York” Society Reflected in
The Age of Innocence
Abstract:Edith Wharton is one of the most distinguished American women writers in the twentieth century. As a productive writer, she published a great many famous works during her life, among which, The Age of Innocence is definitely the most representative one which can be regarded as the miniature of Wharton?s whole life and contains the essence of her thoughts. It is no exaggeration to say that this novel has made a great contribution to the development of realistic novels. The novel gives first place to the love tragedy between nobleman Newland and Ellen, supplementing by the ups and downs of Beaufort which is the representative of the emerging bourgeois. By complementing each other, they reflect the most typical characteristics of the American upper class after the Civil War.
The first part of the paper gives a general introduction of the author—Edith Wharton, and her main works. Chapter 1 is about the historical background and the plot summary of The Age of Innocence. By illustrating the love tragedy between Newland and Ellen, we can see the social customs of the upper class in New York in the late 1870s. In Chapter 2, New York upper class? attitudes towards the relationship among the three major characters will be elaborated. Young gentleman Newland Archer?s contradiction in social responsibility and self freedom and the love with Ellen Olenska; Passionate Ellen Olenska?s dilemma in the marriage crisis with her husband and her affair with Newland, while innocent May?s struggle in maintaining her marriage and fallacious social position. However, their relatives and friends try everything they can to expel Ellen back to Europe together with May in order to protect family reputation. All these seeming surface plots actually are the defense against the conventions and human apathy. Chapter 3 is the backbone of the thesis, aiming to analyze the social characters of the “Old New York”. By analyzing the upper class? attitudes towards the relationship among the three major characters and their choices, it is easy to see that the conservatism, hypocrisy and snobbism of the
upper class. The last part restates the aim of the thesis, and the conclusion of the thesis.
Key Words:Edith Wharton; old New York; social characteristics
Introduction
Edith Wharton was an exotic flower in American history of literature, and she is one of the most outstanding “novel of manners” after Henry James. Wharton was born in a prominent aristocratic family, living an affluent and leisurely life. At Wharton?s early age, she learned the intricacies of social customs and rituals under the guidance of her grandmother and mother, so she was quite familiar with the customs of the world of upper class. Wharton showed a keen interest in literature in her childhood. Later, she got married with Edward Wharton sharing the equal prestige. As they were not congenial in hobbies and interests, Wharton was tired of the vain and flashy social activities of upper class. She got divorced resolutely and determinedly with Edward regardless of the upper class?objection. Wharton left for Europe after divorce. She was influenced by European?s edification of thought, and raised her keen insight on the current situation in society at that time. Wharton hobnobbed with Hery James, and her early works had traced the creation of James. She was put on a lot of glorious titles since she had long been desolated, such as “America?s most distinguished secular style writer”, “godmother of the psychological novel”“feminist prophet” and so on.
Because of Wharton?s prominent family background, she knew very well about the customs of New York?s upper class, and New York?s cultural environment had given her unique social sensitivity and literary tastes. As one member of the upper class, Wharton lived a wealthy life since she was a little girl. Since she had witnessed the old conventions for a long time, it was quite easy for her to write according to these experiences. “She was quite familiar with New York upper class, not only just familiar with its gold-plated surface, but also well aware of nature of decadent”(Wang Yiting, 2011). Edith Wharton once wrote in her autobiography Backward Glance that “life is the saddest thing there is next to death”, which seems to imply that stories tend to reflect sadness. She seldom wrote romantic scenes in her stories and she never paid attention to fairy tales, the fabulous or the legendary. And consequently,
most of her tales depicted heroes and heroines leading unhappy lives. Many of her works were based on the background of New York. The masterpieces based on “Old New York”of Wharton included full length novel “The Age of Innocence”,“The House of Mirth”and the novella collection “Old New York”
(including “false dawns”, “New Year's Day”, “spark”, “spinster”). These works fully and truly reflected the social characters of old New York upper class in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The Age of Innocence is the most important masterpiece of Wharton which caused a huge repercussion as soon as it was published. It had brought substantial economic income and extraordinary reputation and played a great role for her to win the 1921 Pulitzer Prize, and been the first lady to receive this honor in American history. In this novel, New York is definitely more than just a geographical name, and also has become a land of culture that is casted in the unique human color.
Chapter 1 The Historical Background and Plot Summary of
The Age of Innocence
1.1 The historical background of The Age of Innocence
The historical background of The Age of Innocence is New York of the late 1870s. People of that era paid more attention to the elegant and exquisite manners than anything else in the history of New York. “The upper class make every effort to “window dressing” all the time .They refused any external threat to the entire upper class and decorated their every action under the protection of holiness and integrity”(Wang Min, 2008). They were most concerned about their social status, living a leisurely life under the imprisoned and boring social norms. They turned a deaf ear to the misfortunes of others. The author depicts them vividly like this “In reality they all lived in a kind of hieroglyphic world, where the real thing was never said or done or even thought ,but only represented by a set of arbitrary signs”(Wharton, 2004). At that time New York society was dominated by men, women did not have the right to speak and accept education in school like men. The most shameful thing of one family was divorce. In order to obey the social norms, the female had to give up their rights to pursue happiness and freedom, which would definitely result in the inevitable tragic ending of women who are in the “other” status in a patriarchal society.
1.2 The plot summary of The Age of Innocence
The Age of Innocence tells a tragic love story between Newland and Ellen. The male character in the novel Newland Archer is born in a prestigious family in New York, young and refined, and he always feels apart from the whole society. When Newland plans to announce his engagement with May Welland, a lady from the upper class with the same reputation, May?s cousin Ellen suddenly comes back from Europe. She wants to seek help from her family for her divorce. Newland is attracted by Ellen who has outstanding personality but miserable marriage, and his emotional balance is gradually inclined to Ellen. With spiritual awakening, Newland finds the beautiful
wisdom and full of artistic temperament Ellen is his true lover, but his fiancee May seems to have nothing except her purity and elegance. May and the upper class represented by her are really boring and lifeless. At that time, New York are old fashioned, the old conventions and traditions they comply and maintain seem never be changed and broken. Therefore though Newland and Ellen are in love, they doom to be a tragedy. Finally, Newland gives up his lover, follows the trend and accepts the responsibility of family and marriage for May?impediment together with the upper class. Many years later, after May?s death, Newland has the chance to meet Ellen again, but he just sits on the bench under Ellen?s apartment and recalls the memory of Ellen. Meeting with Ellen, knowing and loving each other becomes the most vivid and real memory of Newland?s lifetime.
Chapter 2 New Y ork Upper Class’ Attitudes Towards the Relationship Among the Three Major Characters
The plaintive love story between Newland Archer and Ellen Olenska Countess is the main line of “The Age of Innocence”. It seems that Newland and May?s combination is quite welcomed. Deviant Ellen would not have been accepted by the New York upper class at first, so their love is fiercely despised by the New York society and can?t avoid the misfortune under the suppression of New York.
2.1 Upper class’ a ttitudes towards the relationship between Newland and May
The upper class here includes Newland, May, Ellen and their relatives and friends.
2.1.1 Newland?s attitude towards his relationship with May
Newland Archer is born in a wealthy family of New York upper class, well educated, talented and ideal, and well versed in the customs and fashion of the old New York society. He is a standard gentleman that society has trained. After the announcement of his engagement with May on the ball, he imagines happily that “what a life it was going to be, with this whiteness, radiance, goodness at one?s side”(Wharton, 2004). “The young man was sincerely but placidly in love. He was delighted in the radiant good looks of his betrothed, in her health, her horsemanship, her grace and quickness at games, and the shy interest in books and ideas that she was beginning to develop under his guidance.”(Wharton, 2004). We can judge from these sentences that Newland is quite satisfied with his fiancee. However, after he comes across Ellen, he is attracted by the passionate and liberal lady and falls in love with her. Comparing with Ellen, innocent May seems dull and vapid. Newland gradually begin to think that his marriage is “a dull association of material and social interests held together by ignorance on the one side and hypocrisy on the other”(Wharton,
2004). After he gets married, “Archer had reverted to all his old inherited ideas about marriage. It was less trouble to conform with the tradition and treat May exactly as all his friends treated their wives”(Wharton, 2004). Nevertheless, Newland is deeply despaired by May?s inanity and he still keeps Ellen in mind. He seeks to elope with Ellen when the old Mingott is sick, but unfortunately May is pregnant and Newland has to give up his true lover and takes the responsibility of family. “Newland Archer was a quiet and self-controlled young man. Conformity to the discipline of a small society had become almost his second nature”(Wharton, 2004). It shows that Newland and Ellen?s love tragedy, in some degree, is caused by Newland?s coward personality besides the bondage of the old conventions. But when Newland gives up the plan to elope with Ellen and makes himself to be a model husband and father, it also shows that it is his responsibility to take care of his wife and child.
2.1.2 May?s attitude towards her relationship with Newland
May is a typical “beautiful angel”in the novel. After receiving the traditional education and the influence of upper class, May has become a perfect “the other” and has lived in an atmosphere of passive observation and judgment forever. In the patriarchal society with strong protection, May?s fate is just like the lilies in her hand, and it will be finally buried in a quiet and cold grave.
As a lady of nobility, naive May considers social norms as behavior principles and treats marriage as the only choice for judging stability of life. May is beautiful and innocent, but she is the incarnation of the old New York?s thoughts. Judging from the enjoyment when she gets engaged and later the words she praises Newland “How dear of you”“Newland! You are so original”“I do love you, Newland, for being so artistic” (Wharton, 2004). May?s deep love in Newland is quite easy to see from these simple sentences. On their trip to spending honeymoon, May says it full of happiness “it?s just our luck beginning---the wonderful luck we?re always going to have together”(Wharton, 2004). At that moment, she shows great expectation for the bright future. In Newland?s eye, “Whatever happened, he knew, she would always be loyal, gallant and unresentful”(Wharton, 2004). When May finds the emotional struggle of
Newland, she agrees to make her wedding day ahead of time. Besides, she tells her pregnancy to her relatives and friends to crush the last hope in Newland?s heart. Obviously, May cares about her marriage and family very much. She does every effort to save her marriage .She loves Newland, so she bears the burdens of the pain willingly for the harmony and integrity of her family.
2.1.3 Ellen?s attitude towards the relationship between Newland and May
Ellen makes few judgments on the relationship between Newland and May in the novel. On hearing the news of the engagement she joyfully expresses that “of course I know; yes, and I?m so glad” (Wharton, 2004). Ellen is quite approved and feels happy for their combination, after all she thinks that “May is a darling; I?ve seen no young girl in New York so handsome and so intelligent”(Wharton, 2004). When she falls in love with Newland, she never ever thinks to own him, she tries her best to persuade Newland giving up his crazy idea. She promises to live with granny Mrs. Mingott because she thinks that can be “safer from doing irreparable harm” to others. When Newland keeps asking the solution to solve their problem, Ellen hazards to say that “shall I come once to you, and then go home”(Wharton, 2004). On hearing the news that May is pregnant, she wants to end up the relationship with Newland with a firm hand by moving to Europe. In a word, in order not to hurt the ones they love, to maintain her cousin?s marriage, and to make a complete family for the baby to be born, Ellen chooses to go to Europe and spend the rest of her life there alone. Ellen loves Newland too, but her love is filled with unselfish affection.
2.1.4 Relatives and friends? attitudes towards the relationship between Newland and May
Newland and May?s marriage is made in heaven, and it is convinced by the attitudes of people around them. Almost everyone delivers great congratulation to their combination. When the betrothed couple pay a visit to the relatives after their engagement, old Mrs. Mingott was “delighted with the engagement, which, being long foreseen by watchful relatives, had been carefully passed upon in family
council”(Wharton, 2004); There is a noticeable excitement when Mrs. Archer talks about her son?s marriage. “Even Mrs. Archer, who was seldom unduly pleased with human events, had been altogether glad of her son?s engagement”. “There was no better match in New York than May Welland, dear May is my ideal” (Wharton, 2004); When May was in the act of announcing her engagement on the Beaufort?s annual ball, “A group of young men and girls were gathered about her, and there was much hand-clasping, laughing and pleasantry”(Wharton, 2004). It is quite obvious to see that the upper class show great approval of the couple and wish their combination a lasting happy marriage. When Newland realizes the fact that “New York believed him to be Madame Olenska?s lover”, he feels like “a prisoner in the center of an armed camp”. May plans to hold a farewell party for Ellen which actually is a trick to eliminate Ellen from the tribe with the relatives and friends, but they “pretended to each other that they had never heard of, suspected, or imagined anything, and that occasion of the entertainment was simply May Archer?s natural desire to take an affectionate leave of her friend and cousin”(Wharton, 2004). At the end of the novel May?s son Dallas judge his parents?marriage as follows “You never did ask each other anything, did you? And you never told each other anything. You just sat and watched each other, and guessed at what was going on underneath. A deaf-and-dumb asylum, in fact!”(Wharton, 2004). The words from a new generation are bold and unconventional, but they are just accurately cutting to the point. Newland and May?s marriage seems to be enviable and amazing, however, the love between the two is far from true love.
2.2 Upper class? attitudes towards the relationship between Newland and Ellen
2.2.1 Newland?s attitude towards his relationship with Ellen
Ellen is also born in New York upper class, but she grows up in France and receives good education and free thought in Europe. Therefore, she has active thinking and keen insight. There is a sense of freedom and rebellion in her all the time.