The Age of Innocence Theme of Society and Class

The Age of Innocence focuses on the wealthiest and the most powerful in New York society in the 1870s, but we can't help but feel, well, sorry for them. The characters live in constant fear of being excluded or shunned or, worse, pitied. They live in a world where appearance is everything, where society is rigidly structured with certain families on top and everyone else below, and where rules govern everything from who you marry to where you vacation to what you wear. If you don't keep up appearances, or if you break any of the kajillions of rules that regulate your behavior, you risk being excommunicated from society.

Yes, excommunicated. To many members of this society these rules constitute their religion, their gods. The novel takes this characterization of society to satirical extremes through constant reference to its "tribal" and "primitive" nature.

1. What kind of society does Newland Archer live in? Who's at the top of the social ladder and why? Who's on the margins of society and why?
2. What are some of the rules that govern behavior in Archer's society? For example, how are people expected to behave at the opera? At formal dinners? How is Archer and May's engagement announced, and what are they expected to do between the announcement of their engagement and their wedding? What do people do for their summer vacations?
3. Consider some characters that run afoul of society in some way: Newland Archer, Ellen Olenska, the Beauforts. What rules have they broken? How does society deal with them?
4. Take a look at the moments where the novel compares New York society to primitive society. How is New York society like primitive society? What taboos and rituals are significant in New York society?
5. The last chapter of the novel is written from the point of view of thirty years later, when the New York society described for most of the novel is a thing of the past. What changes have taken place? What do you think the novel thinks is worth keeping from the older New York society? What do you think are changes the novel welcomes?

The Age of Innocence explores the effects of a rigidly structured society on the individual.

The Age of Innocence maintains an ironic attitude toward New York society through its constant comparisons with primitive society and through its biting portrayal of the society's hypocrisies.