CliffsNotes on

The Age of Innocence

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About the Author

About the Novel

Introduction
Brief Synopsis
List of Characters
Character Map

Summaries and Commentaries

Book 1: Chapter I
Book 1: Chapters II–III
Book 1: Chapters IV–VI
Book 1: Chapters VII–VIII
Book 1: Chapters IX–XI
Book 1: Chapters XII–XIII
Book 1: Chapters XIV–XV
Book 1: Chapters XVI–XVII
Book 1: Chapter XVIII
Book 2: Chapters IXX–XX
Book 2: Chapters XXI–XXIV
Book 2: Chapters XXV–XXVI
Book 2: Chapters XXVII–XXX
Book 2: Chapters XXXI–XXXIII
Book 2: Chapter XXXIV

Character Analyses

Newland Archer
May Welland Archer
Countess Ellen Olenska
Mrs. Manson Mingott

Critical Essays

Themes in The Age of Innocence
The Ironic Title of The Age of Innocence

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Summaries and Commentaries

Book 1: Chapters XII–XIII

parvenu—(French) nouveau riche; a person who has suddenly acquired wealth or power.

dissimulation—pretense; hypocrisy.

imprevu—[Fr.]unforeseen.

milieu—environment; esp., social or cultural setting.

blackguard—a person who uses abusive language; a scoundrel or villain.

hackneyed—made trite by overuse.

histrionic —overacted or overacting; theatrical; artificial; affected.

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