The Age of Innocence explores the love-hate relationship the United States had with Europe in the late nineteenth century. The 1870s New York society described in the novel is insular and independent, with a strong streak of Puritanism. It is a prude's utopia: strict rules govern male and female behavior, showing off in any way is discouraged, family is the most important social unit, "nice" people stay clear of "bohemian" writer and theater-types, and people don't share their feelings or their private thoughts.
From this prudish viewpoint, European society is decadent and promiscuous. European society encourages intermingling between classes, friendships on equal terms between men and women, more creativity, and a more open discussion of sexuality.
Basically, New York City is a 1950’s housewife, and European society is a 1960’s flower child.
Questions About Contrasting Regions: United States and Europe
- Which characters do you think are the most "American"? How do they act? What are their attitudes toward family, sexuality, gender, and class? What do they like to do for recreation or entertainment?
- Which characters do you think are the most "European"? How do they act? What are their attitudes toward family, sexuality, gender, and class? What do they like to do for recreation or entertainment?
- How do American characters behave when they're in Europe? How do the American characters feel about Europeans?
Chew on This
Many American characters in The Age of Innocence view Europeans as decadent and immoral.
American characters pride themselves on their morality, their prudishness toward anything sexual, and their avoidance of anything scandalous or "European."