Outside Reading Pos:5 conclusion

Notes taken: 10/17/07

As i finished this book i realized how wonderful it is and how many things seem to have the similar story line. The age Of Innocence seems to be a soap opera for the olden days with a notable love trial and the struggle of obligations against individual wants and needs. In this case the obligations were that of society and the rules that were understood but never broken. Even though I am not a rule breaker myself I felt that love was the exception. Exspecially in Newland's case. All society can do is create a scandal the price of individual happiness is worth so much more. We can see the after math of this is horrible as Newland cannot bring himself to see her again they however are united through his son " Dallas." (chapter 34)

I thought the overall themes of this book were very strong. Obligation being the key theme, obligation towards what society deems right and obligation of matrimony. Power is another key theme of the book, it shows us that usually people with money have a sense of power which leads to a sense of intimidation.( chapter 1.)The final theme is conformity and how if you conform to someone else's rules such as society's you will find a dull exsistence and never be truly happy.