Tammy’s Reviews > The Age of Innocence > Status Update

Mrs. Welland remarks on how sparse the sapphire looks all by itself, but Granny comments that a cameo set in pearls worked in her day. Granny notices how large May’s hands are (sports) and how small her own hand which honestly means nothing if you are the size of a whale. She’s just glad her skin is white. When asked about a date, Newland says ASAP and Granny suggests before Lent in case she dies of pneumonia.

Newland is amused to imagine Catherine living out the life in French novels that explore adultery versus duty. On the one hand they are relived that Ellen is not there. On the other, she’s out in broad daylight during shoppping hour for all to see. No shadow of her unhappy past can mar their radiant future. Catherine is delighted. She admires the large saphire on the engagement ring.

The description of Catherine the GREAT is hilarious. Her girth prevents her from going upstairs so her bedrooms are downstairs which is not as shocking as it could be. In novels, some women with bad reputations have their bedroom downstairs so they are harder to catch in the act. Granny has such a spotless reputation that the thought of being naughty never occurs to her. If she wanted a man, she would have him.

Ch. 4 They follow the betrothal convention. The groom and family visits the bride and family. Then the bride, groom, and family visit Granny Mingott (Catherine the GREAT) for her blessing. Newland finds her amusing. Her home is not as venerable as older houses and reflect different tastes (Second Frend Empire). She lived like a queen and believed in her fiber that people would come to see her even with poor food.

“Love Triumphant” Ch. 1 to “Love Victorious” Ch. 3 Hmm........

He calls her angel and promises to do so. Is she the angel of the house? He looks around to spot Ellen but May explains why she did not come, overlooking the obvious, which cannot be said, even thought both know why. She chooses to ignore the “unpleasant” which pleases him. He promises to do the same concerning Ellen’s soiled reputation. What a great chapter! I hope I am seeing the imagery correctly.

His cup of bliss overflows--sacred language. When he kissed her, one of the lily of the valley broke away from the bouquet. This is a mountain top experience for “the world lay like a sunlit valley at their feet.” She mentions Ellen’s name and I wonder if that is the serpent entering into paradise. Then he lies to her about why he didn’t tell Ellen about their engagement! She explains why it is important to her.

The Latin name for lily of the valley means MAY! It’s almost like he feels guilty for his dalliance and her purity will save him. Being engaged was to him grave and sacramental. May (whiteness, radiance, goodness) would give him new life! WOW! He takes her to the conservatory for an emotional moment and there really does seem to be warmth and affection between them. Is this Adam and Eve in paradise? TREE-fern!

The nude is “Love Victorious” but it is unclear if it is contemporary or Caravaggio. The title is very suggestive because this is the night of their betrothal: on public display, in a false paradise, in a place that is clearly a facade. The women are dressed like peacocks where as May is the picture of innocence with her lilies of the valley bouquet. Archer watches as she announces her news to her ladies in waiting.

I find camellias interesting. Their leaves are evergreen. They have the colors of alchemy: red or pink petals with a golden eye (sometimes showing and sometimes hidden). They bloom in the winter! I wonder! Everything with him is false (I suspect). So this whole facade could be a false paradise. Even when Newland shows up, his fine eye for art sees the gaudiness of the footmen in silk stockings and the nude paintings.