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Irony And Symbolism In To Kill A Mockingbird, By Edith Wharton

1164 Words5 Pages

A detailed account of New York society in the 1870s is developed by Edith Wharton through the examination of the different standards that women and men are held to in society. She does this by highlighting the influence of social class on an individual's life. It is said that “Wharton’s major talent was for social observation” (Stuckey 4). She exhibits this talent in this novel by examining how various large events along with minute details can affect societies views. Irony is used to highlight specific characteristics of the people and locations within the novel. Internal conflict draws attention to characters relationships and how society holds individuals to very different standards depending on their class. Symbolism is used to express …show more content…

May’s appearance is detailed through the statement “and Newland Archer saw her white-gloved finger-tips touch the flowers softly” (Wharton 3). The way May is seen by Newland is explained by the following “May is all virgin freshness, youth and innocence, although- a fact which Archer is incapable of recognising- she is also more than these things” (Glyn 10). Symbolism is used to highlight societal views on individual characters.
New York society is examined to allude to the standards people are held to by society due to their economic standing. The way characters dress and live is carefully analyzed to showcase societal views. Irony is used to express the characters roles in society and the degree to which possessions can influence this standing. Internal conflicts explore the impact of individual characters and societal views on any one person's life. Symbolism is used to examine the societal standing of Newland, Ellen, and May. The novel highlights the effect of social class on those in New York society in the

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