The Journey Of Self-Development

Edith Wharton is not a feminist writer but many of her literary works display a female feature, with her focus on female issues back in Wharton's time. Therefore her works can be studied from a feminist perspective, Wharton's representative work The Age of Innocence being one of them. Since its publication, critics'feminist interpretation of this novel generally stays at the fact that in the male-dominated society, women's yearning for equality is deprived. Seldom do critics direct their criticism to the three major characters'journey of self-development and their individual feminist ideology revealed during this process.This thesis aims to explore the self-development the three characters have obtained in the course of searching for their selfhood as well as their feminist ideology reflected in their self-elevation. Under suffocating social conventions in the old New York, May and Ellen can be recognized as new women with distinct feminist features, and even the male protagonist Newland has developed his own feminist ideology. Even though they are living in this society, they do not resign themselves to its confinements. Instead, they courageously step into the journey of self-discovery, which can also be understood as Wharton's discovery of feminism.Through an exploration of Newland's evolving self-identification in his relationship with the two female characters, this thesis reveals his struggling feminist ideology. Newland grows up in old New York patriarchal society and male chauvinism is an inevitable part of his character. However, he has seen more of the world and become more compassionate with the tragic fate of women. May's feminist ideology is comparatively conservative. Growing up in old New York, she is very familiar with its social conventions and approves her own role in maintaining in a family and raising her children. However, when dealing with Newland's betrayal, she displays an unusual female strength. Ellen is a new woman who best represents the feminist spirit. Unable to put up with his husband, she resolutely leaves him, refusing to be defined as an accessory of the male gender. Her action bespeaks her own pursuit of selfhood and her responsibilities for others; she bravely fights for her freedom and is also courageous enough to make sacrifices. Ellen's progressive feminist ideology, though nearly a century later, can still offer modern women something to learn from. In its manifestation of individual feminist ideology, this thesis aims to demonstrate that women should make their constant effort and play their own important roles in order to overcome the restrictions of a male-dominated society.