Edith Wharton’s novel The Age of Innocence is set in the aristocratic New York of the late nineteenth century, and uses irony throughout to demonstrate the contradictory nature of that society, as well as the inconsistency and hypocrisy of many of the characters. The title itself is evidence of an ironic slant on that society, since it is clear throughout the narrative that whereas innocence is something which is, at least on the surface, admired and prized, in fact the actions of the characters show that they are for the most part lacking in that virtue.
Wharton looks closely at the double standards which were employed by society at the time, and the importance of conforming to social codes however c
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