Author Description
Edith Wharton's satiric anatomy of American society in the first decade of the twentieth century appeared in 1913; it both appalled and fascinated its first reviewers, and established her as a major novelist. The Saturday Review wrote that she had 'assembled as many detestable people as it is possible to pack between the covers of a six-hundred page novel', but concluded that the book was 'brilliantly written', and 'should be read as a parable'. It follows the career of Undine Spragg, recently arrived in New York from the midwest and determined to conquer high society. Glamorous, selfish, mercenary and manipulative, her principal assets are her striking beauty, her tenacity, and her father's money. With her sights set on an advantageous marriage, Undine pursues her schemes in a world of shifting values, where triumph is swiftly followed by dissullusion. Wharton was recreating an environment she knew intimately, and Undine's education for social success is chronicled in meticulous detail. The novel superbly captures the world of post-Civil War America, as ruthless in its social ambitions as in its business and politics. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
Undine Spragg, a relentless social climber from the Midwest, arrives in New York City with the singular objective of infiltrating and dominating the highest echelons of American society. Driven by an insatiable desire for status and material wealth, Undine employs her beauty and manipulative instincts to secure advantageous marriages, often disregarding the emotional toll on those she encounters. Her ascent is constantly challenged by the rigid, albeit shifting, expectations of the elite and the consequences of her own impulsive decisions. The narrative is presented through a third-person perspective that maintains a critical distance, allowing for a clinical examination of the protagonist's moral vacuity and the superficiality of the social circles she inhabits.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Meticulous depiction of early twentieth-century New York social hierarchies
- Satirical critique of the American Gilded Age values
- Character-driven narrative focusing on the psychological development of an anti-heroine
- Exploration of the intersection between marriage, money, and social mobility
- Detailed portrayal of the contrast between Midwestern origins and Eastern elite culture
- Use of irony to highlight the protagonist's lack of self-awareness
- Examination of the transactional nature of interpersonal relationships
- Realistic dialogue reflecting the social codes of the era
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers and critics frequently highlight the novel as a sharp, unsparing critique of social ambition and the commodification of marriage. Discussion often centers on the polarizing nature of Undine Spragg, whom many view as one of the most effectively realized anti-heroines in literature. The pacing is noted for its steady, methodical progression, which mirrors the protagonist's calculated maneuvers through various social strata. Scholars often point to the book's enduring relevance in its analysis of the tension between individual desire and societal constraints. The atmosphere is consistently described as cold and precise, reflecting the author's intimate knowledge of the environment she depicts.
Page Count:
417
Publication Date:
2000-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191606316
ISBN-13:
9780191606311
Historical Fiction
English
American
English & College Success
Classic Literature
Realism
Social Satire
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