#17771
Mentioned in 3 episodes
Custom of the Country
Book • 1913
Published in 1913, 'The Custom of the Country' is a satire that critiques the leisure-class marriage market and the culture of consumerism.
The novel follows Undine Spragg, a young woman from the Midwest who marries multiple times in her pursuit of social power, money, and material possessions.
Wharton explores the contrasts between Old New York and the new rich, as well as the differences between American and European social customs.
The novel is notable for its sharp commentary on early twentieth-century society, highlighting the self-centered ambition and mutual disconnection between men and women, particularly in the context of marriage and divorce.
The novel follows Undine Spragg, a young woman from the Midwest who marries multiple times in her pursuit of social power, money, and material possessions.
Wharton explores the contrasts between Old New York and the new rich, as well as the differences between American and European social customs.
The novel is notable for its sharp commentary on early twentieth-century society, highlighting the self-centered ambition and mutual disconnection between men and women, particularly in the context of marriage and divorce.
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 3 episodes
Mentioned by Naomi Fry when discussing the portrayal of gossip in Wharton's novels, contrasting the destructive impact in "The House of Mirth" with the more defiant attitude in "The Custom of the Country".
20 snips
Gossip, Then and Now
Mentioned by Alex Schwartz in relation to the pursuit of wealth through marriage and the complexities of ambition and morality in the context of finance.
The Fate of the Finance Bro
