The Age of Innocence Questions for Study and Discussion

The Age of Innocence is a famous novel by Edith Wharton, who incorporated the high life of Old New York into her novels. Here are a few questions for study and discussion.

• What is important about the title of Wharton's novel?
  
  
• What are the conflicts in The Age of Innocence? What types of conflict (physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional) are in the book?
  
  
• How does Edith Wharton reveal character in The Age of Innocence?
  
  
• What are some themes in the story? How do they relate to the plot and characters?
  
  
• What are some symbols in The Age of Innocence? How do they relate to the plot and characters?
  
  
• Is Newland Archer consistent in his actions? Is he a fully developed character? How? Why?
  
  
• Does Newland Archer change and/or develop as a human being?
  
  
• How does Newland relate to other characters in the book? Are any of the other characters fully developed?
  
  
• Do you find the characters likable? Are the characters persons you would want to meet?
  
  
• Does the story end the way you expected? How? Why?
  
  
• What is the central/primary purpose of the story? Is the purpose important or meaningful?
  
  
• How does the past figure into the novel?
  
  
• How essential is the setting to the story? Could the story have taken place anywhere else?
  
  
• How do women figure into this novel?
  
  
• Are fully realized relationships possible in Wharton's "age of innocence"?
  
  
• How do the world views of men and women differ in the novel?
  
  
• Would you recommend this novel to a friend?