Age of Innocence or Old New York?

A question from our lit circle on Monday has stuck with me: “Should the novel be named Age of Innocence or Old New York?”  This got me thinking about what each title would imply about the novel and while the Age of Innocence title captures overall William Blake-like theme of innocence versus experience, Old New York emphasizes the role of society within the novel. While reading the novel through the gender lens, one could argue that the given title is appropriate because of the contrast between experienced men and naïve pretty women. The Marxist lens, however, which focuses on the power struggle between classes, fits in better with the latter title.

The novel does demonstrate gender roles, such as after dinner when the women would go upstairs while the men would stay downstairs and smoke “discussing business”, but the end of the book leads me to believe that the more important theme was about the elite society. There is an emphasis on the change within the values of the society within the last chapter which notes the contrast between the past and the future. For example, in Archer’s youth importance was placed in the reputation of someone’s family, and they joked about Beaufort’s bastard children, which Newland’s son ironically marries. The old New York was more “old-fashioned”, like Archer describes himself to his son Dallas in front of Ellen’s apartment. (304). His reason for not going upstairs is because he is old fashioned, implying that there is a change within him. This implies that Newland has become someone interested in tradition, as society always urged him to be. His many years with May could have influenced this change within him, and she could have molded him into a perfectly acceptable husband. This kills the passion and drains the youth within him as he is left dull and old-aged. Archer seems to have become stagnant as he sits on the bench fantasizing about what is occurring within the apartment, too “old-fashioned” to enter. He barely travels- another interesting change within him. The young Archer had an interest in art and foreign countries, which contrasted with May, who was bored on their wedding tour and eager to get home to fulfill her wifely duty. He is content with his lifelessness as he walks away back to his hotel. The boundaries which constricted Archer before are now comforting to the prosaic old man, who is a representation of the “old New York”, which is being replaced by younger people and newer viewpoints.

Archer’s transformation within the novel shows the gradual acceptance of being a part of this elite New York society. At first he rebelled, but as time went on he fulfilled his role and even came to symbolize the old traditions which he came from. This contrasts strikingly with the youth, such as his son Dallas. For this reason, both titles are relevant to the novel but when looking at it from a societal point of view, the Old New York title is more fitting.