Introduction
The Gilded age in American Literature refers to a period roughly from 1870’s to the early 1900’s, characterized by both rapid social change and burgeoning literary scene. This age produced a rich tapestry of literature that reflected the complexities and contradictions of American society during a time of profound transformation. This reality of life replaced the sentimentality and romance of the previous era; realism, Naturalism and the critique of society were among the major themes of this period.
The Gilded Age: A historical Background
By the 1870’s the spread of railroad, urbanization and industrialization has created an unseen wealth in the United States. What was worse is that very few people concentrated this wealth , they were called “The Robber Barons ” i.e. ethically questionable rich. With this great wealth came a new level of materialism and political corruption.
The Term Gilded Age was coined as the title of a Novel by Mark Twin: The Gilded Age: A tale of Today in 1873. Twain’s Navel dealt with political corruption and the influence of the industrialists, He described the gilded age as an era of serious social problems hidden by a glitter of economic wealth.
American Society at that period of time was divided into different classes. At the height of the social ladder were the aristocrats, such historical families who came from old money and members of such families set the standards for the other members of their social class. The arrivist or new rich, are people who had recently earned their fortunes, they also make up an important part of New York society. Though they did not have a lustrous family history , they often held even greater wealth than aristocrats families. By contrast New York was also associated with immigrants and poverty.
Edith Wharton’s Biography
Edith Wharton born New Bold Jones (1862-1937) was an American writer and designer. She was one of America’s most important novelists who relentlessly chronicle the gilded age and its social mores along with her friend Henry James. Wharton drew upon her insider’s knowledge of the upper class New York aristocracy to portray realistically that period in America’s history. Among her famous works was The House of Mirth .
About The House of Mirth
In the House of Mirth Wharton wrote about this period of economic extreme. She focused on the upper class people, whom she was well equipped to criticize being one of them. Wharton was from wealth that had been handed down through the generations and not from the newly rich who do not have the same manners and social standing, the contrast that marks the major conflict in the novel.
In writing the House of Mirth, Edith Wharton may have been influenced by the work of the American sociologist Thorstein Veblen “the theory of the Leisure Class” published in 1899. A criticism of the conspicuous consumption in the American society of that time. Veblen’s term refers to the practice of buying expensive items or luxuries not because they are needed, but as a way to display wealth and income to enhance one social standing.
Realism versus Naturalism
Realism and Naturalism are both 19th c literary movements that sought to pportary life more accurately and truthfully than the idealized depiction s of romanticism. Realism, emerging in the mid 1800s, focused on depicting ordinary people and everyday situations, often from teh middle and lower classes, without romanticizing or exaggerating reality. Realist writers aimed for detailed, objective portrayals of life, emphasazing the psychological depth of characters and exploring the complexities of human nature. They often critique social issues such as class inequality and moral dilemmas but avoided overtly political messages.
Naturalism, a more extreme offshoot of realism, emerged later in the 19th c, influenced by scientific advancements, particulary Darwinian theories of heredity and environment. Naturalism writers, believed that human behaviour was largely shaped by biological, environmental and social forces beyond an individual’s control. Naturalism emphasized a deterministic view of human life, often focusing on more brutal aspects of existence, including poverty, addiction and crime. Characters in Naturalist works are often portrayed as victims of their circumstances.
In Summary, while both movements sought to depict life more realistically, realism emphasizes the complexities of human psychology and social interactions, with more focus on individual choices and moral ambiguity, while Naturalism takes a more fatalistic view, portraying people as shaped and constrained by forces beyond their control. Realism portrays a nuanced view of society, while Naturalism often depicts a darker, more deterministic reality.
Conclusion
The Gilded age in America was a time of economic prosperity, industrialization and technological advancement, but it was also characterized by stark social inequality and widespread corruption. Throughout the House of Mirth Edith Wharton criticize the superficial, materialistic values of the elite and the rigid social structures that constrained individuals particularly women during this period.
References for further reading
1. Bauer, Dale M. The House of Mirth: The Gilded Age and the Rise of Feminism, Studies in the Novel, Vol 26, n 3, 1994, pp 249-266.
2. Klein, Rachael The House of Mirth and Construction of the American Dream. American Literature, vol 72, n 3, 2000, pp579-607
3. Van Wienen, Mark .The House of Mirth and the Age of Innocence: Gender and the Gilded Age in Edith Wharton’s Fiction. Journal of American Studies, vol 32, n 2 1998, pp 269-289