Psychological Depth in The Reef

The Reef stands out as a psychological exploration rather than a mere narrative of events. The author delves into the intricate mental landscapes of her protagonists, Anna Leath and George Darrow. Initially, the narrative lenses through which we perceive the story belong to Darrow; by the fourth segment, it transitions into Anna's perspective. The middle sections see a back-and-forth dance of consciousness between the two, offering a rich tapestry of their inner dialogues and reflections on their surroundings. Wharton's meticulous examination of the psyche can sometimes tread into wearisome territory, as she unravels the characters' thoughts with precision that reality often defies. Particularly with Anna, whose ever-shifting mindset leaves her in a perpetual state of uncertainty and self-discovery. At one juncture, Anna perceives Darrow as "a stranger with whom she had not a single thought in common." Yet, a mere fourteen pages later, she reconciles with him, firmly believing "she and Darrow belonged to each other." This cyclical introspection leads to relentless self-questioning, highlighting an internal conflict that overshadows any external character disputes, as her emotions and perceptions seldom align seamlessly.

Double Consciousness and Memory

Wharton excels in portraying those poignant moments when present experiences echo past memories, invoking a vivid double consciousness. When Anna Leath anticipates Darrow's arrival at Givre the morning after he arrives, she stands illuminated at the end of a corridor, reminiscent of her late husband's stride through the same rooms. With this single imagery, Wharton envelops the reader in Anna's dual awareness of both the distinct and shared threads linking these two men in her life. Later, as Sophy Viner takes her place as Owen Leath's fiancée at the family dinner, her attire and demeanor as she listens to Owen's piano playing stir Darrow's recollections of their days in Paris. This portrayal accentuates the precariousness of Darrow's current standing in the household, as it underscores Anna's simmering mistrust.

The Shattering of Hopes

The narrative reaches its zenith when Anna privately confronts Sophy, a meeting that symbolizes the titular "reef" where her aspirations and strategies falter. Sophy embodies the kind of girl from Anna's youth "who seemed possessed of a secret she had missed," causing Anna to experience "an odd sense of ignorance and inexperience" that upends the dynamic between the women. This imagery becomes more vivid as Sophy conjures memories of Kitty Mayne, a girl from Anna's New York days. Anna had once watched the youthful George Darrow flirt with Kitty at a dinner, an episode that left her yearning for a claim on Darrow's affections but clueless on how to achieve it. While mentally dismissing Kitty as a "silly girl," Anna nonetheless perceived such girls as "menacing to nice girls and the young men they intended eventually to accept." Her resentment was not just aimed at their actions, but at her own inability to emulate their allure, despite secretly desiring the attention men like Darrow lavished upon them. Over the years, little has changed in Anna Leath's complex relationship with George Darrow and the archetypical Kittys of her past.

The Reef is often hailed as Edith Wharton's most introspective work, not because the novel’s events mirror her personal life, but because the protagonist’s experiences echo Wharton’s own upbringing. Anna Leath hails from a venerable New York lineage, untouched by economic or physical hardships. Yet, her existence is marked by an emotional and romantic void, leaving her in her late thirties akin to a young woman still awaiting her grand epiphany into the realm of passion. Brought up as "a model of ladylike repression," Anna inhabited a world where...