ohh Archer

Archer Newland Analysis

Let us take a journey back to Newland's first introduction in Age of Innocence. The paragraph that starts out "The second reason for his delay...." (2) talks about Archer's pleasure. It says that Archer experiences pleasure as that of delicate, rare, and exquisite. I mean, what kind of man thinks like that...? Archer is so dramatic and overtly sensitive. To analyze why he is, we can look at his background and time period. He grew up in the richest family and was taught to think, feel, and act a certain way. Therefore, everything "seemed as natural to Newland Archer as all the other conventions on which his life was moulded..." (2). His conduct and belief were products of society, and he behaved like every other men in his circle. Towards May, he is like a child who is excited by a new toy, "he contemplated her absorbed young face with a thrill of possessorship..." (3). May represents the ideal woman who he wants to marry due to her purity, innocence, and beauty. Because she is who she is, Archer does not question or contemplate the progression of his engagement and marriage to May. He continues his feelings even after meeting Ellen who "he hated to think of May Welland's being exposed to the influence of a young woman so careless of the dictates of Taste" (9). Ellen contrasts as a foil to May, and she is seen initially as a mere trivial deterrent in Archer's road to happiness "...he was definitely afraid that the Mingotts might be going too far..." (13). Archer also cherishes May because of her simplicity and the fact that "she was always going to understand; she was always going to say the right thing" (15). We know that Archer progressively starts hating the fact that she is like a machine who says the right things at the right time. Therefore, what sparks the change? Also when Archer says "...he thanked heaven that he was a New Yorker, and about to ally himself with one of his own kind" (20). In just a span of one chapter, chapter 5, Archer is in the library defending Ellen's freedom in a flurry of passion to Mr. Sillerton Jackson. After he announces his thought, he immediately alter his view on May as well, and for the first time, he calls May a 'stranger'. In chapter 6, Archer is having an enlightenment where he observes his society as one where "...all lived in a kind of hieroglyphic world, where the real thing was never said or done " (29). Then, he blames his change in ideology on Ellen Olenska by saying, "'Hang Ellen Olenska!'" (29). I think up to this part is the book's beginning, which is proceeded by a dull and tedious thoughts of Archer, who is consumed by the overwhelming presence of Ellen, until chapter 25. In chapter 25, the story picks up pace as the mystery of Ellen unravels, Archer's feelings for Ellen is suspected by family, and May's behavior adds to the sense of frustration and hope. However, every desire for Ellen and my wishful expectation comes crumbling down by the last sentence of 34, when May cunningly gets rid of Ellen and ties Archer back to her side by the news of her pregnancy. Archer's hope and wantings for Ellen become something that is so unattainable as he matures into his later years. Although Ellen's sudden appearance in the novel prompts Archer to question his society, beliefs, and morals, he unfailingly submits back to society's ways and expectations because (this is my favorite quote) he says "There was good in the new order too" (226). He finds a balance in the force of old society and new evolving society, which shows his maturity.