The Age of Innocence- May

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On the other hand I was initially disappointed with May. She was essentially an object- a perfect porcelain doll, cold, beautiful, and fake. She was supposed to be the example, the epitome of perfection, but she seemed to entirely lack any sort of sophistication. She seemed to lack any opinion. Edith Wharton brings up the question, "what is innocence?" May seems to be innocent. She does not know of the evil of the world, nor does she carry any guilt. Merriam-Webster (have I mentioned it's my favourite dictionary?) defines innocence as " freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil: freedom from guile or cunning : simplicity (2) : lack of worldly experience or sophistication e : lack of knowledge." Is this really May? Going back to Little Women May is a lot like Meg. Underneath the quiet compliant girl, there is a strong woman. Both characters feel it's unattractive to reveal the strong woman side of them. Although May is innocent in many respects it is more of an appearance, and just as everyone else her innocence fades over time. Clearly May did know of evil as she was clearly aware of Newland Archer's last affair with the married woman. Also she cannot help but gain knowledge.

There is a fine line between innocence and ignorance and as we fully find out at the end of the novel she was aware. May spoke in code. She often spoke of Ellen and it was always kind and never accusatory. I thought perhaps she was just as oblivious as Charles Bovary and was encouraging the affair without knowing it. However, as revealed by Theodore after she died, she knew all along and she felt that she and Newland were speaking the same coded language. This was perhaps her way gaining some feeling of power in the relationship, whereas if she brought it up to Newland face to face she would only lose. If she were to speak to him bluntly she could cause a public disruption if their marriage fell apart. At least with keeping things hush-hush even she and Newland could pretend everything was alright. Also early in the novel May claimed that she could not be happy at another's expense. Yet, she goes to Newland to tell her that she is pregnant and before that goes to Ellen. She knew what she was asking, and although I don't think she was wrong to ask it, I bet she did feel guilt about it. Her going behind his back was also a little guileful.