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{{work}}
'''''The Age of Innocence''''' is a novel by Edith Wharton. Originally published in 1920, the book won a Pulitzer Prize in 1921.
The story follows an upper class couple living in New York in the 1870's. Newland Archer is a lawyer who is engaged to May Welland. While he does love her, Newland ends up doubting his choice when he meets her cousin Countess Ellen Olenska. Though she has been living abroad in Europe, it is rumored that Ellen has returned to New York after leaving a bad marriage. The worldly Ellen is the exact opposite of the well-bred May. Newland soon becomes infatuated with her and begins questioning whether he should get married to May.
In 1993, the book was adapted into a film. It was directed by [[Martin Scorsese]] and starred Michelle Pfeiffer, [[
[[Needs More Love]].
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{{tropelist}}
* [[Adaptational Attractiveness]]: In the movie, Ellen Olenska is played by Michelle Pfeiffer. However at several points in the book, she is described as unattractive, although the perception of her looks seems dependent on Newland Archer's feelings towards her--she is described as beautiful just as often.
* [[Adaptation Dye Job]]: In the book, the "perfect" May is repeatedly described as blonde and blue-eyed, but in the movie, she is played by the dark-haired Winona Ryder. Similarly, the family outcast Ellen is dark-haired, but played by the blonde Michelle Pfeiffer.
* [[Anti-Hero]]: {{spoiler|Newland Archer}} is arguably a Type One.
* [[At the Opera Tonight]]: The film's opening scenes, where Ellen returns to New York society and she and Archer, happily engaged to May, meet. Later in the film, they meet at a play whose plot mirrors their situation. And towards the end, the now-married May and Newland attend. This is the most significant scene for several reasons--several years later, the situation is now completely reversed--Newland is suffering in his loveless marriage to May and longing for Ellen. Meanwhile, the heretofore clueless May is showing hints of her scheming--she's wearing her wedding dress, something she hasn't done since her wedding day, despite the fact that it's a tradition in New York society--a not-so subtle attempt at reminding Archer of his marriage vows (though of course, she never says so outright).
* [[Batman Gambit]]: {{spoiler|The way [[Magnificent Bastard|May]] gets rid of Ellen.}}
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* [[Color Coded for Your Convenience]]: In the book, the "perfect" May is blonde, while "bad girl" Ellen is brunette.
* [[Domestic Abuse]]: It's strongly hinted that Ellen's husband, Count Olenski, was abusive and unfaithful to her.
* [[Double Standard]]: Played with. New York's high society shuns Ellen for leaving her husband, even as they condemn his behavior that led to this. Also, at least two characters who are unfaithful to their wives condemn another character for his infidelity, because his mistress isn't of the proper social class.
* [[The Ghost]]: Ellen's husband, Count Olenski, who is frequently referred to but never seen. A few other characters as well--Annie Ring, etc.
** Ellen herself, at the end, who is never seen again after the final dinner at Newland and May's, though she's often alluded to.
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{{reflist}}
{{Pulitzer Prize for Fiction}}
[[Category:Roger Ebert Great Movies List]]
[[Category:Historical Fiction Literature]]
[[Category:Romance Novel]]
[[Category:Films of the 1990s]]
[[Category:The Age of Innocence]]▼
[[Category:Literature]]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Film]]
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