Wharton wrote The Age of Innocence in France, just after World War I. She was an established writer at the time and had already published a number of novels and novellas. The title refers to a period in American history which had come to an end with the war in 1914.
Indeed, in the book she looks back on her childhood and teenage years in the high society of New York in the 1870s, with its balls, dances and rigid rules. The 1870s in America is also called the Gilded Age: a time when bankers and investors became influential, and the city of New York began to grow rapidly. At that time, society was controlled by powerful families who had strong traditions and strict yet often unwritten rules.
The novel tells the story of the engagement and marriage of May Welland and Newland Archer, and the arrival of Ellen Olenska, the bride’s cousin from Europe. Ellen’s presence leads to a series of complications and threatens the couple’s marriage.
Wharton looks back on this age with irony but without judging any of the characters’ intentions and actions. Apart from her criticism of the workings of upper-class society, there is a pervading sense of sadness over the loss of innocence brought about by World War 1. Wharton’s own life experiences are reflected in the novel from her early memories, to her unsuccessful marriage.
The novel won the Pulitzer Prize in 1921 and inspired several film adaptations, including the renowned 1993 film directed by Martin Scorsese starring Daniel-Day Lewis, Winona Ryder and Michelle Pfeiffer.
1. About the Author(作者簡介):介紹作者,幫助認識創作背景。 2. About the Book(本書簡介):介紹故事內容概要,幫助瞭解故事的背景與旨意。 3. Before Reading(閱前活動):設計各種問題和活動,幫助暖身,啓發各種探討與學習。 4. After Reading(閱後練習):設計各種深入的問題和題目練習,幫助復習內容,加深英語的學習印象。 5. Test(測驗):有些讀本在閱畢之後,設計有各種測驗題目,包括文意測驗和英語練習等。 6. Translation(中譯):完整的英文故事翻譯,幫助理解文意。 7. Answer Key(解答):針對「閱前活動」、「閱後練習」和「測驗」,提供解答。 8. 隨文討論:在故事行文中,另設計有針對內文情節的問題探討,幫助做啓發性的思考。 9. 【新增】Characters(人物錶):新增故事人物錶,幫助掌握故事內容。 10. 【新增】Fact File(真實檔案):針對故事背景與主題,介紹當時代的真實情況,主題廣泛,內容豐富,例如政治、國際局勢、社會、經濟、生活實境等,深入文化,擴大英語閱讀與字匯能力。 11. 【新增】Life Skill(生活技能):針對故事內容,進一步提齣生活技能的主題,將英語融入生活情境。 12. 【新增】Cambridge English Exams(劍橋英語測驗):變化新題型,幫助活用英語,並提高應試能力。
戰後,她居住在法國南部的村莊,專事寫作。1921年,她以《純真年代》(The Age of Innocence)獲得普立茲奬,成為第一位得到這個奬項的女性。
圖書目錄
About the Author About the Book FACT FILE: New York Society in the 1870s FACT FILE: The Gilded Age Characters Before Reading
1. The opera 2. The engagement 3. The Archers 4. The visit 5. The divorce 6. At Skuytercliff 7. A short engagement 8. Another visit to Countess Olenska 9. The wedding 10. The honeymoon 11. The archery competition 12. At the pier 13. In Boston 14. Ellen’s future 15. Mrs Mingott has a stroke 16. Alone in New York 17. The farewell dinner 18. In Paris
After Reading LIFE SKILL: Land of the Free? Exam Test Project Work Translation Answer Key