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

Ellen holds out her hand and expects Newland to hold it. He does not. She invites him to come see her. He is stunned. He is glad he is marrying a New Yorker like him (more pride). No New York woman would be out walking with the likes of Julius Beaufort nor would she invite a just-engaged man to visit her.

Granny and Beautfort have a lot in common. They were once poor and came from obscure backgrounds. They are now wealthy and they can afford to live by their own scruples and not live by the convention of others. They are both good at cutting to the chase. In the hall when May and her mom are putting on their furs, Newland apologizes to Ellen for not telling her about their engagement. She gently chides them.

The door opens and in walks Ellen with Julius Beaufort! The scandal! Granny calls him by his last week (much like Augusta Elton in Emma<\i>. He bumped into Ellen at Madison Square and he escorted her home. Granny begs him to sit down and gossip with her. She wants him to tell her about Mrs. Lemuel Struthers, the widow of a shoe-polish magnate (new money). Granny approves of this, of course.

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!