The Age of Innocence notes PDF

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Genealogy in Age of Innocence: What’s in a name?...

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Argument: Genealogy in Age of Innocence: What’s in a name? ‘Archer sees that the importance of family and decorum has smothered the ability to be an individual.’ 1) Daisy and Archer are dragged back into high-society. Both characters seem to sacrifice their love and freedom towards individuals of a lower class. It is impossible to decide if their actions are voluntary or committed by familial force, but they choose to remain in their upper-class realm, fearing the shame that rebellion could bring upon their family reputation. ‘Family’ itself becomes personified to Daisy and Archer, akin to the “heat” in Chapter 7 of ‘The Great Gatsby,’ which suffocates both personas and entraps them within high society. Thus, we can note why Archer constantly feels the need to open a window to feel “free.” Regardless of opposing contexts, Archer’s inability to defy society in the late 19 th century has continued to keep the personified ‘Family and decorum’ alive, also entrapping women such as Daisy in the 1920s from being who they want to be. [TGG] “They were careless people… they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated into their money.” “With every word, she was drawing further and further into herself… only the dead dream fought on.” [CH7] [AOI] “He had reverted to all his old inherited ideas… It was less trouble to conform with the tradition.” [CH 20] 2) May and Daisy abide by their husbands to uphold the family name and delve in security. May decides to remain by her husband through wearing the wedding dress; although she is aware of Archer’s affair, she fulfils her duty in weaving an illusion of ignorance, whilst protecting her family name by getting rid of Ellen. We can note that her ulterior motive is to protect herself; moulded into the “product of society,” she already lacks individuality but had she defied ‘Family,’ misogynistic labels would have destroyed her. Similarly, Daisy stays with Tom by accepting his “pearls” and tearing Gatsby’s letter; she feels she owes high-society the respect in maintaining her financial security and social status, therefore fearing rebellion and embracing her identity. In a sense, if May Welland was present in a modern society, she may have left Newland, but is restricted by her role, which supresses her freedom. [TGG] “Daisy, gleaming like silver, safe and proud above the hot struggles of the poor.” [CH 8] [AOI] “All in white… blue white satin and old lace of her wedding dress.” [CH 32] _________________________________________________________________________________

‘These men are desperate to maintain and grow their place in the aristocracy by their absolute adherence to the customs, though their hypocrisy is equally as obvious.’ 1) Tom and Lefferts signify the double standard amongst gender and their hypocrisy in society Tom and Lefferts are involved in affairs that society is acutely aware of and yet their opinions of social titles and good “Form” indicate their hypocrisy. Tom expects Daisy to accept his affairs when he judges her harshly for loving Gatsby, suggesting the double standard between men and women. When he feels that both women are “slipping precipitately from his control,” he wishes to protect his place in society by returning to Daisy’s side, suggesting his corrupt and

controversial persona. He hides his hypocrisy by alluding to the fact that his affair has only resulted in gossip whilst Daisy’s associations with Gatsby could turn into scandal. Similarly, Lefferts, the authority on Form, is discovered amidst various well-known affairs and goes further to “set things right” and climb the social ladder by criticising Ellen. In some sense, perhaps Lefferts is keen to openly emphasise ideas on Form to create the illusion of his ‘absolute adherence to the customs,’ when the modern audience notes his idiocy. By repeating societal rules, he only reveals his internal corruption as opposed to hiding it. [TGG] “Tom was feeling the hot whips of panic. His wife and his mistress… were slipping precipitately from his control.” [CH 7] “I love Daisy too. Once in a while, I go off on a spree… but I always come back.” [CH7] [AOI] “As became the high-priest of form, he had formed a wife so completely to his own convenience that, in the most conspicuous moments of his frequent loveaffairs with other men’s wives, she went about in smiling unconsciousness.” [CH 4] “Queer those fellows who are always wanting to set things right. The people who have the worst cooks are always telling you they’re poisoned when they dine out.” [CH 33]

2) Nick and Archer are hypocritical narrators. Archer suggests radical ideals about women being “as free as we [men] are” but mistakes May’s cunning for ignorance, suggesting that although he tries to hold challenging views against his society, he ultimately follows its laws, thus, this hypocritical nature makes his character appear insincerely questionable. Also, Nick creates the illusion that he is an unbiased narrator who is “within and without” the destructive 1920s, however, his underlying opinions on society also influence the reader, manipulating them to see Daisy in a harsh light. It is ironic that he is “within and without,” particularly when both Tom and Gatsby find him to be a useful instrument in allowing for affairs to occur, suggesting he is not as good-natured as he portrays himself to be. The only reason both narrators escape harsh views towards their hypocrisy is due to their ties with high society. [TGG] “Within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life.” [CH 3] [AOI] “Women ought to be free- as free as we are!” “Kentucky cave fish, which had ceased to develop eyes because they had no use for them… What if… May Welland… could only look out blankly on blankness.” [CH 10]...