Outside Reading Post 2: Struggle

Notes Taken:10/4/7



Newland Archer begins to struggle with his feelings toward the Countess Ellen Olenska as he defends her past with his society obsessed friends. He begins to realize that there are flaws in the system that he is living in where society requires certain behavior when individuals may desire to act outside of these bounds. As the novel progresses his initial feelings of protection toward Ellen begin to transform into feelings of love. He however struggles with his obligation to May. He is married and must conform to the expectations that society has placed on his relationship. He must be the husband and provide for his wife. The Countess has not responded to Newland's indications that he may find her more than just a companion. That situation begins to change in the middle of the book P. "...he is becoming entranced with Ellen Olenska as a person “to whom things were bound to happen.”



Archer also struggles with his image of himself. He is torn between the requirements of society and his need to be "different from it." He wonders what will happen to him after he is married to May. p. 104 "He had seen enough of other young men who had dreamed his dream though perhaps less ardently and who had gradually sunk into placid and luxurious routine of their elders." Archer does not want to become one of those men but there is great danger in being an individual in a highly restrictive society.