Blake Nevius from the University of California Press said “the real drama is played out below the surface--the impeccable, sophisticated surface--and communicates itself, if at all, to the observer by means of signs which only the initiate can read.”(www.departments.knox.edu) Nevius is saying that the climax is starting to happen with Archer trying to choose between his wife’s cousin, Olenska or his actual wife, May. Archer says “I don’t care which one of their visions come true.” Archer begins to express himself to the readers about how he only wants his dreams to come true with Olenska and not his own wife. Colombia Trustees from Colombia University said “Wholesome atmosphere of American life and the highest standard of American manners and manhood.”(www.blog.loa.org) Wharton portrays how individuals in this world think they are better than everyone else. In The Age of Innocence, the book says “at least according to his perhaps too-flattering self image.” Which means men should not try to act flattering towards other people if they have a wife. Critics think The Age of Innocence is an inspiring book, but also some critics think different. Seymour Chattman from Cornell University Press said “As readers we have been caught in a literary ellipsis, a narrative discontinuity between story and discourse.”(www.departments.knox.edu) Chattman explained that Wharton had time to …show more content…
I think the writing of this book has a large amount of romance because Archer was caught up in a love triangle between his wife and his wife’s cousin, Olenska. Her writing style is very misleading because her characters are portrayed to be some kind of nice and loyal person, but come to find put that the character is dishonest and misleading. In The Age of Innocence, Wharton says “The decade of Archer’s and Olenska’s steamy romance” Wharton talks about how Archer is having affairs with his wife’s cousin and not being honest. I liked how Wharton did not just stick to one theme in the book. There were many themes throughout the book like hypocrisy and the values each person has amongst them. Archer is supposed to be this Christian young man but yet he is having affairs with his wife’s cousin. The characters throughout The Age of Innocence should value themselves and not feel like they have to change for other individuals. I think that is what the characters do the most throughout the book. I think the characters in the book have their flaws, and no one is perfect. I have learned through this book that people are never innocent. No matter what time period, if people are old or young. The Age of Innocence was a book that was worth