Kathryn Oliver
Discuss Wharton’s presentation of the character development of Newland Archer in this excerpt, commenting on relationships, conflict, irony and social attitudes.
The character of Newland Archer is presented in this passage through his meditations on a range of issues. The scene is set directly after an Archer family dinner with a friend, Sillerton Jackson. Archer’s reflections give us a glimpse into the way he thinks and the sort of person he is.
Initially we learn about Archer himself and his background, he is from a wealthy family, with ever “vigilant “ servants, “bronze” statuettes and his own study. We can also see from the description of the study that he is cultured, intelligent and well read.
The passage allows us to see a little of his history, especially of the tale of his romance with May Welland. Her “large photograph” has displaced all others on his table, signifying that she and no other is first in his affections. Archer’s view of their impending marriage is initially that he will be her “soul’s custodian”, showing that it will be a very traditional relationship, that she is naïve compared to him, and that he must protect and enlighten her. He was taught that marriage to May would be like “safe anchorage” in life but he tells us his belief is changing, that he believes it may be like a “voyage on uncharted seas”. This clear nautical imagery lets us see how Archer is coming to doubt his previously unquestioned conventional beliefs – “old settled convictions” - and that it may be dangerous for him to go into this marriage so unprepared. He is moving on, intellectually, questioning what he once held firm. Archer’s attitude to his relationship with May is inextricably linked to his basic conventional traditional mindset. He sees himself and May as key players in a courtship ritual that they possibly could become stereotypical examples of people “linked by ignorance on the one side and hypocrisy on the other”. In a way he believes this is inevitable due to the society they both belong to, but it is not what he wants from marriage. He desires “passionate and tender comradeship” with May in their marriage; he loves her “sincerely”.