The Age of Innocence- Ellen

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My feelings about Ellen Olenska and May Wellend/Archer in The Age of Innocence have changed throughout the novel. At first I distrusted Ellen because of her seemingly flirtatious nature. She was intriguing because of her daring to break from social norms. Ellen wears different fashions, speaks her opinion boldly (without encrypting it in the socially regulated language), and takes actions of her own choosing without being swayed by outside persuasion. It was disappointing to me when she claimed she wanted to fit in and be taught what to do. She seemed to blind to the trap she was welcoming. I wanted to yell, "No, Ellen, don't lose your mind to their world!" As there continued to be evidence of an affair with Beaufort I distrusted her more. Yet, her spark of individuality, and love of art won me back.

I've come to the opinion that her behavior that seemed flirtatious came from her culture of the arts she was used to in Europe. Before she came to New York she lived with the Count, around actors, writers, and painters. These people are concerned with the drama of what is said, and the effect of it. After a while being with these people (as I've somewhat experienced through Literary Festivals, Theatre productions, Speech performances, Choir, Band, and Art Festivals) one can't help but feel that one is always performing. Artsy people are intense, and always odd. They communicate dramatically, totally different than the Old New York way of putting one's opinion in the framework of the rules and regulations that have been set forth. Ellen reminds me of Jo from Louisa May Alcott's Little Woman. She is sometimes shocking, but has good intentions deep down inside. Therefore I don't take her flirtation as coquettishness. When Ellen and Archer recognized their love for each other she behaved admirably. She was self-sacrificial for the situation that was best for everyone. Her character was once again like Jo's when she cut her hair to get money that the family needed. The family was put before her desires. Like May I believe she didn't want her happiness to come from another's sadness. She ultimately showed this when she decided to move back to Europe when she found out about May's pregnancy.