When I first started reading “The Age of Innocence”, I felt like the character of May Welland was not one to stand up for herself in a sense. She seemed like the kind of person who would do whatever anyone told her and appeared to be very naïve and prim and proper about things. Especially when compared against the Countess Olenska, who’s every action made some kind of scandalous statement, I considered May to be somewhat bland, even possibly annoying, “A lovely human doll whose uselessness aggrandizes her owner’s social standing” (147). However, one of the Jstor articles I found discusses how although May comes off as this quiet, prude, she is actually quite clever and able to manipulate situations and people to work in her favor, while keeping up her innocent façade the entire time. While Newland thinks he is the one controlling the relationship, “It would presently be his task to take the bandage from this young woman’s eyes and bid her look forth on the world” (101); it is May who is really calling the shots. She decides when they get married, and she decides when they announce their engagement, not Newland. She executes her power in the relationship in such a subtle manner that it is almost impossible to detect it unless it is pointed out to the reader. There is one part of the article that I disagree with though. When May questions Newland’s feelings about her after he asks to move up the engagement, she tells him, “ I couldn’t have my happiness made out of a wrong . . . if you feel yourself pledged in any way . . . Newland, don’t give her up because of me!” (167). Why is she willing to sacrifice her happiness so the man she loves can be with another woman? If I were May I would be angry both with Newland and with this mystery fiancée snatcher.Why does May offer Newland a chance to call off the engagement? Is it that she is trying to avoid the embarrassment of having a cheating husband? Does she want to cut if off before things get out of control? Is she trying to do the socially acceptable thing? Or is she really just that considerate of others and their feelings?
Jstor Articles
The Transparent Eyes of May Welland in Wharton’s The Age of Innocence
Vulgarity and Red Blood in The Age of Innocence
A Footnote to Edith Wharton
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Or perhaps one other possibility. What if she knows that Newland is feeling an attraction to her cousin, but also knows he isn't "pledged" to Ellen the way he is to May? Then isn't that little speech actually disingenuous, like much of her behavior? Could it be her way of reminding him of his "pledge" to her while ostensibly offering him his freedom? If so, then it seems to me that it could be just the opposite of what it appears to be, like much of her behavior.
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