Piper-Iman Paul-StubbsMrs. GaedeEnglish II-AMay 12, 2014Edith Wharton: Position and Expectations of Women in Old New YorkOn January 24, 1862, Edith Wharton was born in New York City to George Frederic Jones and Lucretia Stevens Rhinelander. Wharton's family was descended from English and Dutch settlers who had made their fortunes in shipping, sales, and banking. Wharton, the youngest and only daughter of 3 children, spoke 3 languages ​​and was educated by a succession of governesses. Since Wharton was taught only with the intention of providing her with the proper social skills needed to become a good wife, she began reading books from her father's library, especially books of Western culture. At the age of 18, Edith Wharton fell in love with Walter Berry, but she couldn't really pursue the relationship because Berry didn't belong to the same social class as Wharton, which wasn't socially permitted in Old New York. However, in 1885, at the age of 23, Wharton married Edward Wharton who was 12 years her senior. Edward Wharton was a gentleman and sportsman from a well-established Philadelphia family. Edward shared her love of travel and was acceptable in the eyes of Edith's parents. From the late 1880s to 1902 Edward Wharton suffered from acute depression, and during that time they stopped traveling and lived exclusively at “The Mount” – the house designed by Edith Wharton in Lenox, Massachusetts. Edward Wharton's depression really put a strain on their relationship and in 1913 Edith Wharton divorced Edward Wharton. After the divorce Edith returned to writing, in this period she wrote many books which often dealt with divorce, unhappy marriages and free-spirited people trapped by social pressure. Wharton was born into a "strictly controlled environment.... .. middle of paper ...... gh daughter because of her wealth. Lily is aware that marrying for money and social status will not bring her happiness, but she chooses a socially uplifting life instead of one's own happiness. Later in the novel we find out that Gryce marries another woman. This shows the importance of money and social status, and also how powerful the elite circle is, from which Giglio will make his money. everything to separate. From the previous events it can be deduced that the man can never be relied on to come to power. It is so exclusive and elitist that you can never be sure of your position, you have to constantly plan, plot. and climb your way to the top, and once there you must fight to maintain your position This is the life Lily Bart craves, in old New York money, social status and how others believe you are. most important thing for these women.