Daniel Hamilton Mrs.

Weien AP English Period 5 6 September 2011 Age of Innocence Marriage has always been a sacred and precious ordinance. It is a mutual agreement between husband and wife to be loyal, faithful, and to love. In Edith Whartons The Age of Innocence, the protagonist, Newland Archer, struggles to make the correct decision of who to marry and once married, to remain faithful to his spouse. Choosing a wife is, after all, one of the most important decisions that a man can make. Every American man is expected to marry, to procreate, and to raise the next generation of Americans. Whartons novel reflects the American view of marriage, family, and morals through the difficult life of Newland Archer. A successful marriage is a main goal for all Americans. It is an ideal outcome, and what is expected of everyone from society. Perhaps this pressure from society can indirectly force people to make rash decisions regarding their lifetime partner. Newland Archer, feeling this pressure, decides to act against his hearts desires and marry May Welland, the woman he is engaged to. Though he loves her, he lacks a passion to be with her. Archer is unable to recognize anything that makes May standout. To him she is merely a polite, nice, voiceless American girl. Archers true love is with Mays cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska. With Ellen, Archer feels alive. Ellen is a more colorful and promiscuous character who was raised and married in Europe to an unfaithful Polish Count. Because Ellen is already married and Archer eventually marries Ellens cousin, there is no possible way for them to be together. Archer

Hamilton 2 decides to give up his love for Ellen because of the American expectation to get married and raise a morally straight family something he could never do with Ellen. Archers American view of morals is what prevents a possible scandal with Ellen. Even after his marriage to May, Archer is inclined to meet with Ellen in secret. May and others are suspicious of an affair, but no one says anything to Archer. When Archer is with Ellen he professes his love for her, but is able to restrain his desire to consummate their affair. It is Archers morals that prevent him from marrying Ellen after all. It is Archers morals that encouraged Ellen early on to not divorce her husband, because it would be better for the family. Archers flaws come when he allows himself to entertain the idea of an affair with Ellen, though luckily nothing ever comes of his selfish desires. With American ideals in mind, Archer is able to avoid any problems that might jeopardize his familys reputation. He makes a great sacrifice for his family by marrying May. She is not the girl of his dreams that he so passionately desires; she is, on the other hand, the safe and morally right person for him. As a result of his decision, he raises a family in the American fashion and is looked up to by many as a model citizen. Newland Archer is a hero of American literature. He gave up his personal desires for the sake of others. Archer is satisfied with his decision to not be with Ellen and is content with the memory he has of her. In a time of infidelity and scandal, Archer maintains his innocence.