Social Class, Place and Identity in Edith Wharton`s Works

In the two books by Edith Wharton, The Banner sisters and The Customs of The Country, there are several themes that are evident across all of as discussed in class. For instance, the issue of social class is a common theme that was addressed in the two novels. Therefore, this essay addresses the aspects of geography and economic class and also social identity among people. However, there are other themes like the theme of racism that are well addressed in the two.

The books seem to pass important message to the Americans and to the world at large. In the society today, place, class and identity are three aspects that are interrelated in human living. Different people from different places exhibit all these three characters of place, class and identity like it is in Wharton`s two novels, Summer and The Customs of The Country.

The topic of social class, place and identity is very present within summer novel. This particular piece of Edith Wharton`s work is dominated by the complex interactions between class and character.

Get quality help now

Bella Hamilton

Verified writer

5 (234)

“ Very organized ,I enjoyed and Loved every bit of our professional interaction ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

Edith`s story mainly concerns the middle and the lower class society. For instance, characters in summer novel are judged based on their past life experiences. Charity Royall is ruled by her past way of life. She was a girl from a humble and poor background. Even in the society today, social class is quite evident in the way different people treat others in various events and life issues.

On the other hand, Mr.

, Royall is judged by his current lifestyle, which is depended on existing wealth and power. Similarly, the charity has been brought from the mountains so that she can be taken care of in Mr Royall`s place. She is protected by her guardian Mr Royall. This is an evidence of social class in the book, summer novel. It shows the difference in lifestyles between Mr. Royall and Charity. In this case, Charity Royall is from a low class society while Mr. Royall is from a high class society.

The customs of the country is a 1913 novel by an American novelist, Edith Wharton. The book also has instances of the social class. This is evident in the way the novel tells the story of Undine Spragg, a Midwestern girl who tries to ascend in New York City society. Edith Wharton`s account of the Ethan Frome is a story of despair and forbidden emotions. People from the low earning society can be termed as been from a low class society and the vice versa is true.

Several other themes cut across all the course texts that were discussed in the class. The topic of racism is a prevalent theme in all the collections. For instance, in the customs of the country, Undine adapts and calls into these various traditions that are linked to the rapid extinction with the advance of the invading race. Edith Wharton`s House of Mirth reveals many expectations of competition and this has been attributed to the racial stereotyping of the Jewish race.

The above themes are quite relevant in the history of Americans. The two books are giving a guide to most life issues that most people are facing in America today. This shows that her collection of books again is quite educative since she talks of essential themes like the theme of social class and racism and their effects in the society. Theme of social class and interactions in the society are evident across all the two books, which simply implies that, it is the central idea that the two novels are addressing.