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Born on January 24, 1862, Edith Wharton, originally named Edith Newbold Jones, hailed from New York's social elite, the prominent Jones family, reputedly the inspiration behind the saying "keeping up with the Joneses." Immersed in culture from a young age, she traveled extensively across Europe with her family, gaining a cosmopolitan education that exposed her to multiple languages, literature, and art. In a world adorned with grand ballrooms and chandeliers, where women's aspirations were often overshadowed by societal expectations, Edith emerged as a beacon of defiant brilliance.
“No children of my own age…were as close to me as the great voices that spoke to me from books. Whenever I try to recall my childhood it is in my father’s library that it comes to life…”
― Edith Wharton
Within this age of quieted female voices, Wharton’s roar echoed loud and clear. Her literary masterpieces, such as 'The Age of Innocence', 'Ethan Frome', and 'The House of Mirth', spoke of the society she knew so intimately. With an astonishing collection of 40 works across 40 years, she was more than just a writer; she was a force, a visionary. Her varied oeuvre, covering subjects from travel to architecture and gardens, showcased the breadth of her genius.
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Wharton's intimate knowledge of the American elite, derived from her own upbringing, allowed her to provide readers with a candid look into the lives, morals, and hypocrisies of the upper class. Novels such as "The Age of Innocence" and "The House of Mirth" reveal the restrictive social conventions and the often suffocating consequences of maintaining social standing. By doing so, she humanised the elite, showing that wealth and privilege did not necessarily equate to happiness or moral superiority.
Many of Wharton's novels deal with the limitations placed on women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her female characters often grapple with societal constraints, the expectations of marriage, and the limited opportunities available to them. Through characters like Lily Bart in "The House of Mirth," Wharton criticized a society that left women few choices outside of marriage and then blamed them for the choices they made within those constraints.
“Life is always a tightrope or a feather bed. Give me the tightrope.”
― Edith Wharton
Life, as it often does, threw its share of challenges in Edith's path. The passing of her father, unfulfilled romances, and the societal label of an "old maid" by 23 might have daunted many. But Wharton navigated these waters with grace, eventually tying the knot with Edward Robbins Wharton in 1885. Together, they painted a tapestry of experiences, punctuated with travels, architectural endeavors, and the joys of canine companionship.
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Newport, often the playground of the wealthy, became Wharton's laboratory. Along with Ogden Codman, Jr., she co-authored 'The Decoration of Houses (1897)', turning heads in the world of design and architecture. By 1901, her heart found a new haven in Lenox, where she envisioned and birthed The Mount, a testament to her prowess as a designer, horticulturist, and literary genius.
In 1921, Edith Wharton became the first woman to ever win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her novel 'The Age of Innocence' which was published in 1920. The book masterfully delves into the inner workings of New York's elite society in the 1870s, exposing its hypocrisies and strictures. Wharton's nuanced portrayal of the struggles of her characters, particularly the protagonists Newland Archer and Ellen Olenska, against societal expectations resonated with readers and critics alike.
Two years later in 1923, Edith was was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Yale University. Honorary degrees are typically conferred to recognize individuals who've made significant contributions in specific fields or to society at large. In Wharton's case, her extensive literary contributions, marked by both their volume and quality, made her an apt recipient. It was a significant honor, especially given the era's prevailing gender biases, and attested to her stature in the literary world.
During World War I, Wharton was actively involved in humanitarian efforts in France, organising and funding workrooms in Paris that offered employment to refugee women, charity concerts to raise money for the war effort and displaced Belgians. Edith was also involved in setting up hospitals for the wounded and also visited the front lines, which deeply influenced her subsequent writing. Her experiences led to a series of essays and stories that chronicled the war's impact, both at the front and on the home front. Wharton's book 'Fighting France: From Dunkerque to Belfort' is a collection of writings penned by Edith amidst the war that offer a firsthand account of lie in France during WWI. These writings brought the realities of the war to her readers, helping to shape the public's understanding of the conflict.
“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that receives it.”
― Edith Wharton
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Wharton’s later years painted a serene picture. Nestled first in Pavillon Colombe in St.Brice-sous-Forêt, and later in the enchanting Château Ste.-Claire, she oscillated between her passion for writing, her love for nature, and the company of beloved friends and pets. Though France became her sanctuary, she graced America with her presence on two poignant occasions, the last of which was her honorary visit to Yale.
When Edith Wharton breathed her last on August 11, 1937, in Pavillon Colombe, an era ended. Yet, her spirit lives on, immortalized in Versailles' Cimetière des Gonards, beside her trusted confidant, Walter Berry. Wharton’s legacy, like the golden age she so deftly portrayed, continues to gleam, casting a light for all those who dare to dream beyond their time.
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