A Hieroglyphic World

“In reality they all lived in a kind of hieroglyphic world, where the real thing
was never said or done or even thought, but only represented
by a set of arbitrary signs” (32).

Points for Reflection

The Age of Innocence (1920), chps 1-14 (3-91)

1. Archer believes himself adept at understanding others’ thoughts and unspoken desires.  Does he understand himself?
2. are the social “forms” rigorously held to by members of New York’s upper-class society generated by a preoccupation with honesty and truth?
3. do the wealthy in New York rely more heavily on non-verbal forms of communication than on words?
4. what do the Arts (literature, music, painting, etc.) give to Newland?
5. does Newland Archer belong more to upper-class New York society, or artistic, bohemian society?
6. does Newland appreciate Ellen more for who she is, or for what she represents to him?
7. does Book I of this novel (thus far) deliver a consistent thesis concerning women’s rights?
   
   
   
   Annabel Lee (c.1890)
   James Whistler
   

Dr. Paul Marchbanks
pmarchba@calpoly.edu