The Age of Innocence - more

I must have read this book a half dozen times now, and I've seen the movie about as many. The movie is worth it, too, not just for extended views of Daniel Day Lewis but have you ever seen a glove, a demure one, not as per Dita von Teese and her ilk, handled so sensually and erotically? In those early days of manners and layers and layers of dressing you take your sensual pleasures where you can.

If we focus strictly on relationships and not the larger views of art, culture and social mores, this book is cautionary and richly detailed. Edith Wharton tips her hand in terms of where her views are on the worth of the individual versus the group in that the warm, alluring, clever, imaginative Countess Olenska is a far more captivating character than the conventional, dreary (but sweet! oh so sweet) May.

Newland Archer thinks he is a good man but like many who take this as a virtue, he is merely a weak man who follows where he is led. He has a passionate flirtation with Olenska but balks at the social cost of being in a relationship with someone so original. She has his heart and soul, but something else -- what IS it, this thing inside so many people that causes them to compromise living their true lives?? -- moves him toward May.

And then May outplays him. Plays the oldest trick in the book. While he can faithfully explain his unfaithfulness to her -- he had to marry her, it was expected, but he doesn't LOVE her you see, he loves you Olenska!! May gets pregnant.

So what we know of Archer is that he is deeply, deeply unworthy. Olenska removes herself from the fray and at first you can think poor dear, he betrayed her and she is sad and sorry. But she isn't I don't think. He has played both sides and she now finds him tedious. And forces him to accept the choice he has clearly made. No more cake eating for Archer.

In the end Archer has May and a family and Olenska retains her intriguing life and her circle of interesting, artistic friends and, in the end, the interest of one of Archer's children.

But who has won?

Neither. There is no winning of course -- Archer has a family and the love of children and conventional success and social position. Olenska, and I relate to her I blush to admit, I hope I am not overestimating how deeply interesting I am (though in fairness Wharton has ensured we ALL prefer Olenska) Miss Olenska has her circle of witty and intellectual friends who we know for sure are fascinated by her and adore her from afar. It is not fully spelled out but it seems she has never had that great soul-touching love. Perhaps it is impossible to love someone so glittering and glorious, as she is extraordinary enough to elicit fear (that you might not measure up, that if she left YOU the hollow absence would obliterate you). Both Archer and Olenska remain admired but unseen and unknown to their last day. Perhaps the point is their only chance at being truly known, and loved, was with each other. And Archer choked.

It's good that he recognized he choked. In the end his son asks if he will come into the salon to see Olenska again. He has the good grace to stay away.