Author's Craft/Generic Elements

Question 1

Listing of different figureheads to exemplify New York’s hollow society

Answer 1

• “the connection between the Mingotts (through the Thorleys) with the Dallases of North Carolina[..]Leffertses (the Long Island ones)[..] Albany Chiverses[..]”
  [maybe add more evidence]

Question 2

Archer’s adamance to stick to tradition reflecting Wharton’s own dilemma

Answer 2

• “[Archer to May] to tell her how enchanting she looked the night before, how proud he was of her and to press her to hasten their marriage” - wants to marry May sooner after realising his attraction to Olenska because May represents tradition [“abysmal purity”]
• “the fear lest that last shadow of reality should lose its edge kept him rooted to his seat”