The Custom of the Country (Cyclopedia of Literary Places)
At a glance:
- Author: Edith Wharton
- First Published: 1913
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Social realism
- Time of Work: Late nineteenth century
- Genres: Long fiction, Social realism
- Subjects: New York, North America or North Americans, Northeast, U.S., United States or Americans, Suicide, Nineteenth century, New York City, Social issues, Paris, Divorce, Ethics, Business or business people, Scandal
- Locales: New York, NY, Paris, France
Places Discussed
*New York City. On the eve of the twentieth century, New York City is the focus of young Undine Spragg’s dreams. Her determination to marry into the top level of American society is attained there by slow, deliberate, steps, culminating in her marriage to Ralph Marvell, the scion of an old New York family. Once their incompatibility and the Marvell family’s diminished fortunes become clear, she flails about, looking for excitement and a more advantageous arrangement. What she learns of New York “society” mores enables her eventually to succeed. She...
[The entire page is 947 words long]
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