The Age of Innocence

The novel explores the complexities of love and societal expectations through the entangled lives of Newland Archer, his fiancée May Welland, and her unconventional cousin, the Countess Olenska. Set in 1870s New York, the story delves into the hidden tensions within upper-class society as Archer grapples with his feelings for Olenska while facing the pressures of his impending marriage. Wharton’s dark comedy of manners highlights the conflicts between personal desires and social obligations, earning her the Pulitzer Prize for this significant work.