A gut-busting climax that will leave you feeling sick and
empty at how social demands usurp personal needs. This
breathtaking novel commences at an
opera house in NYC, where handsome young
lawyer Newland Archer spies his fiancée May Welland across the way, setting up
the theme of Archer’s psychic distance from the high society he orbits. May''s scandalous cousin, Countess Ellen
Olenska, has arrived back from Europe. Archer knew Ellen before she became a
Countess through injection. Rumors fly that
Ellen is divorcing because her husband left her for another woman
Archer is exasperated by the schadenfreude at Ellen’s
expense and decides to announce his and May’s engagement to keep May’s family
out of the ring of scandal. When Ellen''s family gives her a welcome home party,
none of high society attend, however, because of the scandal and also because
of Ellen’s almost defiant non-comformity. Ellen plans to go through with her divorce,
but Archer''s boss instructs him to get her to change her mind. Once Archer begins to hear more about Ellen’s
miserable life in Europe, a relationship evolves between them. Ellen’s non-conformity ignites that very same
ember that had been buried deep within Newland. His consciousness opened, he sees the truth
about the stifling atmosphere and pettiness in which he is trapped.
Newland Archer arrives at a vacation home where Ellen is
staying with friends and admits his feelings are deeper than mere friendship. Frightened
and confused, he runs away to Florida to be with May, but can’t convince her to
move up their planned wedding date. He goes back to New York and finally admits he
is in love with Ellen. Almost
immediately, he learns that May has agreed to move up the wedding date. May and
Newland visit Europe on their honeymoon, but Archer realizes he and May are
worlds apart. When he hears that Ellen is in Boston, he rushes to see her, only
to learn her husband wants her back. On
a steamboat, they finally admit their mutual love for each other and Ellen consents
to stay in America as long as he loves her. They return to their respective home towns,
accepting the terms of a secret love affair.
Following a family sickness, Ellen returns to NYC and
Newland picks her up at the train station.
During the carriage ride home, they realize the futility of their
plans. Ellen offers to spend one night together and then go
back to her husband. Newland finally
agrees. Then Newland receives word that
Ellen will return to Europe without notifying him. May informs Newland that
Ellen made this choice after they had a long talk. May then hosts a bon voyage
party for Ellen, and Ellen is formal and distant with Newland throughout. When the party is over, May breaks the news
that she is pregnant, revealing the real reason for Ellen’s departure.
Twenty-six years later, May is dead and Newland and his son Dallas
are in Paris, outside Ellen’s apartment.
Newland has not seen Ellen since the party and learns she has become
something of a legendary character. Archer
is conflicted by memories and the desire to renew their acquaintance, but
ultimately realizes that the memory of Ellen is more worthwhile than seeing her
again. He finally decides not to join
his son in meeting the famous Countess and walks away alone.