Lily Or Rose:Newland Archer's Dilemma In The Age Of Innocence

Edith Wharton is regarded as one of the most influential American female writers.Her masterpiece The Age of Innocence depicts the hard choice of Newland Archer between two women.May is like a lily in the vase,pure,innocent,passive,and traditional,while Ellen a rose in the wildness,romantic,beautiful,and rebellious.This essay from the feminist perspectives explores and compares the two images of women at that time,a traditional woman and a new woman,to illustrate the awakening of the feminist consciousness and its impact on the male consciousness.The essay is composed of five chapters.Chapter One gives a brief introduction to the author Edith Wharton and her works.The related studies on her and her works abroad and at home are collected.Chapter Two focuses on the two different images of women.May,as the representative of traditional woman,is pure,innocent and passive.Ellen,the representative of a new woman is attractive for her mystery,rebellious spirit and independence.In Chapter Three,Newland's hard choice between these two women is illustrated with consideration about the social bondage,such as fidelity,family tradition,social expectation,and divorce risks.Chapter Four traces the ending of Newland to illustrate that his choice makes him loss both of them.He ends with a loveless marriage with May and with unfulfilled love for Ellen.Chapter Five makes a conclusion by pointing out that Newland Archer's hesitation,dilemma and ending are caused by the awakening of female consciousness in the patriarchal society.