enforcements and become an independent human being. In which way she tries to "free"
herself from the entrapment called marriage, which developments her way to her personal
liberty goes through and if she eventually succeeds will be discussed in this term paper.
In the first part of this term paper, I want to report briefly about the second half of the
nineteenth century in America and the role of women, especially female writers. Afterward
there will be a short look at the author's vita, because the way Wharton lived tells us much
about her understanding of different themes. Then I want to analyze Wharton's short story
'Souls Belated' which contains a lot of themes and symbols, from which the most interesting
will be described and interpreted. In a final conclusion I will try find an answer to the
essential topic of Wharton's story: Does the protagonist succeed in escaping the social
conventions due to her divorce or does she fail? And is it possible at all to "free" oneself of
the social imprisonment of the time described, particularly as a woman?
This term paper focuses on the thesis, that 'Souls Belated' is mirroring the social conditions
of Edith Wharton's 19th century New York Society and the institution of marriage as a kind of
cage for women.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. 'The Gilded Age'
2.1 'True Womanhood'
2.2 Late 19th century American Women Writers
3. Edith Wharton
4. 'Souls Belated'
4.1 Formal analysis
4.2 Settings, Plot, Persons
4.3 Themes
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Research Focus
This paper examines Edith Wharton's short story 'Souls Belated' to explore how it mirrors the social conditions of 19th-century New York and the institution of marriage as an entrapping structure for women. The study investigates the protagonist's struggle for independence, the role of social conventions, and whether true liberation from these constraints is achievable for a woman of that era.
- The influence of Victorian social norms and the 'True Womanhood' ideal.
- Edith Wharton’s biographical connection to her literary themes.
- A formal analysis of 'Souls Belated' regarding narrative perspective and dramatic structure.
- An examination of symbolic settings and social roles within the story.
- The interplay between personal desire, social entrapment, and the necessity of compromise.
Excerpt from the Book
Themes
The main theme is the entrapment of women by the social expectations to the roles of the genders and the conventions that define the world of the 19th century New York society which the author herself belonged to. Lydia tries to escape out of this imprisonment by leaving her husband and running away with her lover. By using words like free (1674, 27), freedom (1674, 28), released (1674, 28) or liberties (1675, 27) the author shows, that there must be a kind of cage before. She also uses the word bondage (1676, 18) to describe marriage. An other advise towards her view towards marriage is the utterance "[...]regarded her marriage as a full cancelling of her claims upon life" (1674, 35). The protagonist herself defines marriage as follows: "I began to see what marriage is for. It's to keep people away from each other." (1688, 36-37). When Ralph directly brings the conversation to the marriage theme, Lydia refuses to marry him: "we both know that no ceremony is needed to consecrate our love for each other" (1678, 11-12). Even at the end, when Lydia finally decides to turn back to Gannett, the marriage and the society which she tried to escape from, the author shows, that Lydia is reluctant in doing it. She comes back only "with slow steps" (1691, 41) and "she look[s] up furtively" (1691, 43).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the research focus on women's struggle for freedom in the 19th century and the thesis that Wharton's work mirrors social constraints.
2. 'The Gilded Age': Provides historical context regarding industrialization, the 'True Womanhood' ideal, and the emergence of female writers during the late 19th century.
3. Edith Wharton: Details the life and career of Edith Wharton, highlighting how her personal experiences influenced her literary output.
4. 'Souls Belated': Analyzes the narrative structure, key symbols, plot elements, and central themes such as the role of the artist and the societal disadvantage of being a woman.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes that escaping social conventions was effectively impossible for women of the time, leading the protagonist to ultimately accept necessary societal compromises.
Keywords
Edith Wharton, Souls Belated, 19th Century Literature, True Womanhood, Social Conventions, Marriage, Gender Roles, American Realism, Female Independence, Societal Entrapment, Literary Analysis, Victorian Era, New York Society, Feminism, Social Reform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines Edith Wharton's short story 'Souls Belated' to explore how it reflects the social conditions and gender-based expectations of 19th-century New York society.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
The central themes include the entrapment of women within marriage, the tension between social convention and personal freedom, and the role of the artist in society.
What is the main research question?
The study investigates whether the protagonist in 'Souls Belated' successfully escapes societal conventions through her actions or if she ultimately fails to find true independence.
Which methodology is employed in this work?
The paper utilizes a literary analysis approach, focusing on formal elements, symbolism, narrative point of view, and historical context.
What does the main body of the paper discuss?
It covers the historical background of the Gilded Age, the life of Edith Wharton, a formal analysis of the short story, and an interpretation of its core symbols and themes.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key concepts include Edith Wharton, social conventions, marriage as an institution, gender roles, and 19th-century realism.
How does the author interpret the significance of the hotel 'Bellosguardo'?
The hotel is interpreted as a microcosm of society, where strict social rules apply and residents are under constant observation, reflecting the constraints the protagonist tried to flee.
Why does the protagonist decide to return to her former life at the end of the story?
The paper suggests that the protagonist realizes the impossibility of escaping social conventions entirely, and that compromise becomes the only way to survive within the society of her time.
- Quote paper
- Elisabeth Eidner (Author), 2011, About Edith Wharton: "Souls Belated", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/181565
