The Age of Innocence

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a shared theme between "The Age of Innocence" and "The Great Gatsby"?

The Role of Technology in Society (correct)

Love and Relationships

Social Commentary

Themes of Time and Memory

Both "The Age of Innocence" and "The Great Gatsby" depict characters who are primarily driven by a desire for wealth and social advancement.

False (B)

What is a key difference in the ways that the past impacts the characters' present lives in "The Great Gatsby" and "The Age of Innocence"?

In "The Great Gatsby", the characters' past significantly influences their present, while in "The Age of Innocence", the characters often feel entangled and restricted by societal norms rooted in the past.

The novel "The Great Gatsby" portrays the _ associated with the pursuit of wealth, while "The Age of Innocence" criticizes the effects of rigid social norms.

corruption, suffocating Signup and view all the answers

Match the following quotes with the characters they are associated with in "The Age of Innocence":

"I feel I'm living in a world that's become a play without characters." = Newland Archer "I would have been contented, I believe, to spend my life in a world made up of such people as Newland Archer" = Ellen Olenska "It's a terrible thing, this conviction that there's no way out. It makes me afraid of life" = May Welland "I've realized that I've lived my life in a vain attempt to achieve the impossible - to combine the freedom of the old world with the elegance of the new" = Newland Archer Signup and view all the answers

How does the pursuit of love differ in "The Age of Innocence" and "The Great Gatsby"?

In "The Age of Innocence", love is pursued within the confines of social norms, while love in "The Great Gatsby" is often more passionate and less tied to social structures. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What do the contrasting portrayals of love in "The Age of Innocence" and "The Great Gatsby" reveal about the societal norms of the time?

The portrayals suggest that social structures significantly influenced the expression and pursuit of love during this era. "The Age of Innocence" highlights the limitations imposed by social expectations, while "The Great Gatsby" depicts the more passionate, yet often fleeting, nature of love pursued outside of these constraints. Signup and view all the answers

The novels offer similar critiques of the inability of love to truly flourish in the face of social constraints.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which character's quote reveals a desire to conform to societal expectations?

Newland Archer (C) Signup and view all the answers

May Welland's quote, "The most admirable thing about her was her indifference," suggests she was a strong and independent character.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does Ellen Olenska's quote about love reveal about her character compared to the societal values of the time?

Ellen's views on love, characterized by passion, emotion, and spontaneity, contrast sharply with the societal expectations of the time, where love was often considered a secondary concern to social duties and responsibilities. Her quote reveals her defiance against these norms and her strong, independent nature. Signup and view all the answers

The quote, "The most admirable thing about her was her ______" describes May Welland's character, highlighting the superficial nature of social graces in the novel's context.

indifference Signup and view all the answers

Match each quote with the theme it represents:

"He had always been rather averse to taking any strong step, and he felt that the proper course for him, which would be approved by his friends, was to be calm and unhurried." = Social Norms and Conformity "Love was not a right, it was not a duty, it was simply one of the many things that one did in doing one's proper duty." = Love and Marriage "He had to face the past." = Past and Present "He felt that the proper course for him, which would be approved by his friends, was to be calm and unhurried." = Social Mobility and Class Signup and view all the answers

How does the societal context of "The Age of Innocence" compare to that of "The Great Gatsby" in terms of social mobility and class?

While "The Age of Innocence" portrays a rigid class system, "The Great Gatsby" suggests greater social mobility through wealth. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The quote, "Love was not a right, it was not a duty, it was simply one of the many things that one did in doing one's proper duty," suggests that romantic love was considered a secondary priority compared to societal obligations in "The Age of Innocence."

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the quote, "She never was very fond of Newland Archer, however. She thought him a rather shallow man," reveal the social dynamics in the novel's context?

The quote highlights the judgmental nature of the social system, where characters are constantly assessed and categorized based on superficial appearances and adherence to societal norms. This judgment can be harsh and unwavering, as seen in the Countess's opinion of Newland Archer, who is perceived as lacking depth despite his social standing. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Newland Archer's Indecisiveness

Archer avoids strong actions, aiming to conform to societal standards, revealing his inner conflict.

May Welland's Indifference

May's charm lies in her calm demeanor, exposing the superficiality of social customs.