The Literary Life Podcast Episode 289: “The Age of Innocence” by Edith Wharton, Ch. 1-8
Aug 12, 2025
Dive into the world of Edith Wharton as the hosts explore the complexities of 'The Age of Innocence.' They unveil societal norms and character nuances that illustrate the Gilded Age's elegance and turmoil. Discover the interplay between innocence and scandal, and how women's rights intersect with social expectations. Insights into the relationship between American and British literary traditions provide a captivating backdrop. With rich discussions on irony, ambition, and moral dilemmas, this exploration reveals the intricate ties that bind past and present.
01:39:49
Wharton’s Book As Parable Of A Lost World
- Edith Wharton wrote The Age of Innocence in 1920–21 as historical fiction set in the 1870s.
- The novel functions as a parable and elegy for a lost Old New York society.
Wharton’s Aristocratic Background
- Edith Wharton came from old New York aristocracy and was related to the Astors.
- Her upbringing and Europe-based education inform her insider portrayal of society.
Form Deliberately Old-Fashioned
- Wharton deliberately returns to older formal novel styles while modernist experimentation rises.
- Her choice frames the book as elegiac and conservative in form, not reactionary in content.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Exploring Literature's Impact in the Modern Age
02:35 • 2min
Exploring the Ties of American Literature to English Tradition
04:53 • 2min
Exploring Literature and Philosophical Themes
06:49 • 6min
Exploring Freedom Through Literature
12:23 • 7min
Edith Wharton and the Gilded Age
19:47 • 23min
Exploring Wharton's Elegy of Society
42:47 • 14min
Exploring Innocence and Scandal
56:31 • 14min
Societal Scandals and Women's Rights
01:10:32 • 15min
Social Expectations and Inner Turmoil
01:25:53 • 11min
Exploring Depths in 'The Age of Innocence'
01:37:01 • 3min
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Washington Square
Henry James
'Washington Square' tells the story of Catherine Sloper, a plain and unassuming young woman living in 19th-century New York City.
Catherine is dominated by her brilliant but emotionally distant father, Dr. Sloper, who sees her as lacking intelligence and charm.
When a handsome and fortune-hunting Morris Townsend appears, Catherine falls deeply in love, but her father suspects Morris's motives and opposes the match.
The novel explores themes of inheritance, social expectations, and the power dynamics within families, portraying Catherine's struggle for independence and self-worth in a society that values wealth and status.
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The Dove
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Henry James
'The Wings of the Dove' follows Milly Theale, a young American heiress with a fatal illness, as she travels to Europe and becomes entangled in a complex web of relationships.
Kate Croy, a beautiful and intelligent woman trapped by her family's financial circumstances, conspires with her lover, Merton Densher, to secure their future by exploiting Milly's wealth.
As Milly's health deteriorates, the characters confront questions of morality, love, and the corrupting influence of money.
James explores the psychological depths of his characters and the moral ambiguities of their choices, creating a poignant and thought-provoking narrative.
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The rise of Silas Lapham
William Dean Howells
'The Rise of Silas Lapham' tells the story of Silas Lapham, a self-made paint magnate who rises from humble beginnings to wealth and prominence.
As Silas seeks to enter Boston's high society, he confronts moral dilemmas and faces the challenges of maintaining his integrity in a world of social climbing and financial speculation.
The novel explores themes of class, ambition, and the conflict between traditional values and the pursuit of material success.
Howells provides a nuanced portrayal of American society in the late 19th century, examining the complexities of human nature and the price of ambition.
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A hazard of new fortunes
William Dean Howells
'A Hazard of New Fortunes' follows the March family as they move from Boston to New York City to start a new literary magazine.
Basil March, a former Bostonian, finds himself navigating the complexities of a rapidly changing urban landscape.
The novel explores themes of class conflict, social inequality, and the challenges of maintaining one's values in a materialistic society.
Howells offers a nuanced portrayal of late 19th-century America, examining the tensions between tradition and modernity, and the human cost of industrial progress.
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Christian Reflections
C.S. Lewis
'Christian Reflections' is a collection of essays by C.S.
Lewis that explores various aspects of Christianity and its implications for modern life.
The book covers a range of topics, including ethics, theology, and the nature of faith.
Lewis offers insightful perspectives on moral decision-making, the existence of God, and the challenges of living a Christian life in a secular world.
Throughout the essays, Lewis combines intellectual rigor with clarity and accessibility, making complex ideas understandable to a broad audience.
The collection provides a comprehensive overview of Lewis's thoughts on key Christian themes, encouraging readers to reflect on their own beliefs and values.
#3236
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
The jungle book
Rudyard Kipling
The Jungle Book is a collection of stories by Rudyard Kipling, published in 1894.
The book follows the adventures of Mowgli, a young boy who is raised by wolves in the Indian jungle.
The stories are set in a forest in India and feature a cast of animal characters, including Shere Khan the tiger, Baloo the bear, and Bagheera the panther.
The tales use animals in an anthropomorphic manner to teach moral lessons and explore themes such as abandonment, fostering, law, freedom, and the human condition.
The book is known for its richly imagined natural world and the complex relationship between Mowgli and both the jungle and the human world.
#177
• Mentioned in 81 episodes
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
Published in 1813, 'Pride and Prejudice' is a novel that revolves around the lives of the Bennet family, particularly the second eldest daughter, Elizabeth.
The story is set in the early 19th century and explores themes of love, societal expectations, and personal growth.
The novel centers on Elizabeth's tumultuous relationship with the wealthy and proud Mr. Darcy, whose initial arrogance and reserve gradually give way to a deeper understanding and mutual respect.
Through their interactions, both characters learn to overcome their prejudices and flaws, leading to a transformative journey of self-discovery and redemption.
The novel also delves into the societal pressures on women to secure marriages, the importance of family, and the nuances of social hierarchy during the British Regency period.
#663
• Mentioned in 32 episodes
Faust
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Faust, written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, is a two-part dramatic work that tells the story of a scholar named Faust who, dissatisfied with his life and seeking infinite knowledge and power, makes a pact with Mephistopheles, the Devil's representative.
Part I focuses on Faust's despair, his pact with Mephistopheles, and his tragic love affair with Gretchen, which ends in her downfall.
Part II is more allegorical and symbolic, following Faust through various experiences, including his life at court and his encounter with Helen of Troy, before his eventual salvation through God's grace and the intercession of Gretchen.
The work is renowned for its blend of lyric, epic, dramatic, operatic, and balletic elements, and its exploration of theological, mythological, philosophical, and cultural themes.
#2578
• Mentioned in 11 episodes
The Gilded Age
a Tale of Today vol 1
Charles Dudley Warner
Mark Twain
Published in 1873, 'The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today' is a satirical novel that satirizes greed and political corruption in the United States during the late 19th century.
The book follows the story of the Hawkins family and their attempts to improve their fortunes through land speculation.
It also includes a parallel story about two young men, Philip Sterling and Henry Brierly, who seek their fortunes in similar ways.
The novel is notable for its commentary on the social and political dynamics of the time, including themes of corruption, materialism, and the struggles of the era.
The title 'The Gilded Age' has become synonymous with the period in American history from the 1870s to the late 1890s, characterized by its superficial glitter and underlying corruption.
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Main Street
Sinclair Lewis
Main Street is a satirical novel by Sinclair Lewis, published in 1920.
It tells the story of Carol Milford Kennicott, a progressive young woman who marries a small-town doctor and moves to Gopher Prairie, Minnesota.
The novel explores Carol's attempts to reform the town and her conflicts with its conservative residents.
Through her experiences, Lewis critiques the conformity and provincialism of small-town America during the early 20th century.
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The Bostonians
Henry James
The Bostonians is a satirical novel by Henry James, published in 1886, which delves into the conflict between traditional conservatism and the rising feminist movement in the late 19th century.
The story revolves around Basil Ransom, a conservative from Mississippi, and Olive Chancellor, a Boston feminist, as they vie for the allegiance and affection of Verena Tarrant, a young and captivating orator.
The novel explores themes of identity, social hierarchy, and the complexities of relationships.
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The Buccaneers
A Novel
Edith Wharton
Set in the 1870s, 'The Buccaneers' follows five wealthy American girls who are denied entry into New York Society due to their families' new money.
At the suggestion of their governess, they travel to London and marry into the British aristocracy, navigating the complexities of both American and British high society.
The novel explores themes of love, marriage, and societal change, though it was left unfinished at the time of Wharton's death and later completed by Marion Mainwaring.
#11623
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The Portrait Of A Lady
Henry James
The novel follows Isabel Archer, a young American woman who inherits a fortune and travels to Europe.
There, she rejects several marriage proposals, including those from Lord Warburton and Caspar Goodwood, in favor of maintaining her independence.
However, she is manipulated by Madame Merle and Gilbert Osmond into a marriage that proves disastrous.
Osmond, a collector of art objects, sees Isabel as another piece to add to his collection, and their marriage is marked by his cold and manipulative nature.
The novel explores themes of personal freedom, responsibility, and the complexities of human relationships.
#1115
• Mentioned in 22 episodes
Gone with the Wind
Margaret Mitchell
Published in 1936, 'Gone with the Wind' is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that explores the complexities of human passions during the American Civil War and Reconstruction.
The story revolves around Scarlett O’Hara, the spoiled and manipulative daughter of a wealthy plantation owner in Georgia, as she navigates through heartbreak, ambition, and survival.
The novel vividly depicts the dramatic changes and social upheaval of the time, featuring a cast of unforgettable characters including Rhett Butler, Melanie Hamilton, and Ashley Wilkes.
It is a sweeping narrative filled with intricate character relationships, emotional depth, and a striking commentary on resilience in the face of adversity.
#4542
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
Age of Innocence
Edith Wharton
Edith Wharton's "The Age of Innocence" is a novel set in New York City during the Gilded Age. It tells the story of Newland Archer, a lawyer entangled in a complex love triangle.
The novel explores themes of social constraints, morality, and the clash between tradition and personal desires.
Wharton masterfully portrays the rigid social structures of the time and the stifling expectations placed upon women.
The novel's intricate plot and insightful character development make it a classic of American literature.
Welcome to The Literary Life Podcast and a new series featuring the book The Age of Innocence. Our hosts, Angelina Stanford and Thomas Banks introduce us to American Gilded Age author, Edith Wharton, the "First Lady of American Letters." They also share their own experiences with reading Wharton's stories, novels, and letters, as well as some background on the time period and cultural context in which she was writing. In discussing the first several chapters of this book, Angelina and Thomas point out small details and subtleties that Wharton uses to give us hints about the characters and situations she presents.
Visit the HouseofHumaneLetters.com to sign up for all the upcoming and past mini-classes and webinars taught by Angelina, Thomas, and their colleagues!
To view the full show notes for this episode, including book links, commonplace quotes, and today's poem, please visit https://theliterary.life/289.