Age of Innocence
Wharton's The Age of Innocence depicts Ellen Olenska as a perfect example of courage and strength because of her desire to go against society and the degradation of women. Through the narrative eyes of Newland Archer, the reader sees a woman "like no other woman" (102). Ellen Olenska is much like Hawthorne's Hester Prynne in the way she exhibits courage and strength. As an outcast of a hypocritical society, Ellen is worthy of the yellow roses that seem "too rich, too strong, in their fiery beauty" for May (69). In fact, she embodies these same qualities.Ellen married an immensely rich Polish nobleman, "had her portrait painted nine times," and was surrounded by "acres of roses, historic pearls, and priceless furniture," but it wasn't until she moved back to New York that she truly became rich. Ironically, her "wealth" developed as her place in society dwindled. Elle
Even though she is unable to live that life, she is able to appreciate it. Much like the "fiery beauty" of the yellow roses, Ellen's passion fuels her life. n credits Newland Archer for her new life, her new wealth: "It was you who made me understand that under the dullness there are things so fine and sensitive and delicate that even those I most cared for in my other life look cheap in comparison" (209). She goes on to tell Newland that he gave her "her first glimpse of real life" (210). She has chosen to live among the artists of New York because she is excited by their expression and creativity. Instead, she was now "poor Ellen Olenska" the adulterer, the outcast. "The conditions from which she had fled were intolerable, past speaking of, past believing: she was young, she was frightened, she was desperate," and yet she survived (100). This matured Ellen has learned to depend not on her material wealth, but rather on richness of heart and sincerity. Underlying Ellen's courage raged a passion for life and for love. Newland Archer is captivated by Ellen's ability to live and think outside the boundaries society imposes. "It was a part of her, either a projection of her mysterious and outlandish background or of something inherently dramatic, passionate and unusual in herself," that excited him (100). Ellen Olenska never returned to her husband and even after thirty years "made no change in her way of living" (309). She talked to the men with whom she wanted to talk, and then she would get up, walk across the room and talk to someone else. Despite the fact that she was not "allowed" to be a member of high society, Ellen still "carried her head high" (141).
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Acceptance Essays
