Gender Inequality In The Age Of Innocence

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A good novel teaches its readers important insights that changes their way of life or thinking. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton, takes place in Upper Class New York in the Victorian era. The novel revolves around Archer Newland and his struggle as he falls in love with a women shunned by the society despite already being engaged to another. As Archer tries to make sense of what his life has become, readers are able to experience the reality of being in the upper class. The Age of Innocence is a good book because it teaches important insights on values, freedom and gender equality. An important insight into the lives of the characters that the readers experience is that sometimes one may make sacrifices to be happy. For instance, Archer …show more content…

The fact that these people were more educated and privileged, it did not mean that there were more rights for women. For instance, Archer said, “I’m sick of the hypocrisy that would bury a woman alive of her age if her husband prefers to live with harlots” (35). A common double standard throughout the novel is that a woman is shamed for her husband’s infidelities but he would not be. Ellen Olenska is one of the blacksheeps of the society because she left her husband who was having multiple affairs.This demonstrates the hypocrisy in society that still exists today in double standards and gender stereotyped roles. In addition to double standards and previously mentioned, there were many stereotypes women are expected to follow. The women has to fit these standards to be deemed as a part of the society. An example of this is May Welland. May represents all the standards that society has for women and what would make the perfect wife. Archer describes May as quiet, well-mannered, well educated, sweet-tempered and reasonable. She understands the rules of the society that she must follow. That is why she stays married to Archer despite knowing that Archer was in love with Ellen. She would never try to stray from what was “right”. May Welland’s behaviour leads onto the next point which is the fact the women in the society where almost completely unaware of the gender equality. All the double standards and the gender specific roles that the society places on the women are the social norms. The women do not know any better and so they think that there was nothing wrong with society. They act and pretend to be happy with their husbands even if her husband is cheating on her. This teaches the reader that gender inequality will always be a underlying problem in society because of double standards, stereotypes and ignorance of gender inequality. Through

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