Edith Wharton

Definition

Edith Wharton was an American novelist, short story writer, and designer, best known for her exploration of the lives and morals of the American upper class during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her works often highlight the themes of social class, gender roles, and the constraints of society, making her a significant figure in the context of naturalism, particularly through her deterministic portrayals of characters shaped by their social environment.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Wharton was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1921 for her novel 'The Age of Innocence.'
2. Her writing often reflects a deterministic view where characters are constrained by their social circumstances and choices are limited by societal expectations.
3. Wharton was born into a wealthy family, which provided her with firsthand experience of the upper-class society she later critiqued in her writing.
4. In addition to fiction, Wharton wrote extensively on architecture and interior design, showcasing her interest in aesthetics as an integral part of her storytelling.
5. Her works have been seen as a critique of the moral constraints imposed by society, exploring themes of isolation, desire, and the conflict between personal happiness and social obligation.

Review Questions

• How does Edith Wharton's background influence her portrayal of society in her works?
  • Edith Wharton's affluent upbringing allowed her to gain intimate knowledge of the upper-class society she later critiqued in her novels. This personal insight is evident in her detailed depictions of social norms, values, and the moral dilemmas faced by her characters. Her experiences provided a foundation for exploring themes like isolation and societal expectation, allowing readers to see how these factors shape individual destinies.
• Discuss how Wharton's works exemplify the principles of naturalism and determinism.
  • Edith Wharton's novels often embody the principles of naturalism by illustrating how characters are shaped and constrained by their social environments. In works like 'The Age of Innocence,' characters grapple with societal pressures that dictate their actions and choices. Wharton illustrates that individuals may be unable to escape their predetermined roles within their social strata, demonstrating a deterministic view where personal agency is limited by external forces.
• Evaluate the impact of Wharton's critique of upper-class society on American literature and its reflection on social norms.
  • Edith Wharton's critique of upper-class society significantly impacted American literature by challenging prevailing social norms and highlighting the conflicts between individual desires and societal expectations. Her nuanced portrayal of the consequences of rigid social structures paved the way for subsequent writers to explore themes of class and morality. By laying bare the restrictions faced by women and individuals within high society, Wharton opened up discussions about gender roles and personal autonomy, making her works timeless and relevant in modern discourse.

Related terms

Naturalism: A literary movement that emphasizes the influence of environment, heredity, and social conditions on human behavior, often depicting characters as victims of their circumstances.

Realism: A literary approach that aims to represent life accurately and truthfully, focusing on everyday activities and experiences without idealization.

The Age of Innocence: One of Wharton's most famous novels, which examines the complexities of love and societal expectations within New York's elite during the 1870s.