Edith Wharton
An American novelist, short story writer, and designer, famous for her sharp social commentary and meticulously crafted narratives that often depicted the manners and morals of the late 19th and early 20th-century American aristocracy. Her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Age of Innocence, and The House of Mirth, critically examined societal constraints, class distinctions, and the limited roles available to women. Wharton's elegant prose and incisive observations offer a revealing look at a bygone era.
Edith Wharton’s The House of Mirth portrays the downfall of Lily Bart, a beautiful and intelligent woman navigating New York’s high society at the turn of the 20th century. Torn between love, independence, and societal expectations, Lily’s refusal to compromise leads to social isolation and personal ruin. The novel critiques the rigid class structure, gender roles, and materialism of Gilded Age America. With elegant prose and psychological insight, Wharton delivers a tragic portrait of a woman trapped by her environment.
Edith Wharton’s "The Age of Innocence" is a profoundly evocative tale set against the opulent backdrop of 1870s New York high society. It explores the intricate social codes and the suffocating expectations that govern the lives of its characters. At the heart of the story is Newland Archer, a privileged lawyer, who is torn between his societal obligations and genuine passion when he becomes enamored with the unconventional Countess Ellen Olenska. Through its masterful portrayal of a society on the brink of transformation, Wharton critiques the rigidity of social norms while examining themes of duty, desire, and the price of true happiness. As the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Wharton’s nuanced narrative captivates with its wit, irony, and introspection, leaving readers to ponder the delicate balance between societal expectations and personal fulfillment.