I remember really liking it. Didn’t recall the details though. I just like period pieces and am fascinated by the travails of the wealthy of that time period. It seems like when you have it all you have a lot to lose. They still have to cope with death and try to make the most of their youth and love is still heartbreaking.
The Age of Innocence is one of my favorites, and this is a great, comprehensive review of it! The point about semiotics was especially interesting and not a connection I made previously. I must say that I also find Newland very relatable. He embodies the struggle of the idealist: having all of these ideas of the way the world should be and hating the way it is... yet in the end being too comfortable in the current world to do anything about it.
It's been a long time since I've read and watched The Age of Innocence, so thanks for this refresher! I felt your point about fearfully identifying too much with a Newland Archer type in that we think/talk a big game about breaking conventions and living exciting lives, but time and time again, whenever we are at a crossroads, it will have turned out that we always chose the path that led away from that. And not because we were tricked, but because our true natures revealed themselves through our actions.
I bet Newland takes some pleasure in his own regrets, kind of like we often appreciate unrequited loves because we're at least feeling something. He's at least entertaining by the neverending wistful drama in his head. You're right in that if he took the path with Countess Oleska, he likely would've been legitimately miserable.
It's also interesting that you listed Nathaniel P. as a related work. Nate, unlike Newland, rises above being a dilettante dreamer and actually becomes a pretty respected writer after many years of struggling. And instead of staying with the comfortable option that is Hannah, he chooses Greer who does excite him in ways that Hannah can't, but may also drive him crazy in due time.
I remember really liking it. Didn’t recall the details though. I just like period pieces and am fascinated by the travails of the wealthy of that time period. It seems like when you have it all you have a lot to lose. They still have to cope with death and try to make the most of their youth and love is still heartbreaking.
The Age of Innocence is one of my favorites, and this is a great, comprehensive review of it! The point about semiotics was especially interesting and not a connection I made previously. I must say that I also find Newland very relatable. He embodies the struggle of the idealist: having all of these ideas of the way the world should be and hating the way it is... yet in the end being too comfortable in the current world to do anything about it.
You had me at Stargirl for further reading. I love that book so much!
It's been a long time since I've read and watched The Age of Innocence, so thanks for this refresher! I felt your point about fearfully identifying too much with a Newland Archer type in that we think/talk a big game about breaking conventions and living exciting lives, but time and time again, whenever we are at a crossroads, it will have turned out that we always chose the path that led away from that. And not because we were tricked, but because our true natures revealed themselves through our actions.
I bet Newland takes some pleasure in his own regrets, kind of like we often appreciate unrequited loves because we're at least feeling something. He's at least entertaining by the neverending wistful drama in his head. You're right in that if he took the path with Countess Oleska, he likely would've been legitimately miserable.
It's also interesting that you listed Nathaniel P. as a related work. Nate, unlike Newland, rises above being a dilettante dreamer and actually becomes a pretty respected writer after many years of struggling. And instead of staying with the comfortable option that is Hannah, he chooses Greer who does excite him in ways that Hannah can't, but may also drive him crazy in due time.
the age of innocence sounds quite anthropological! & your christmas card is so sweet! :)