Friday, November 2, 2012
Ambiguous Archer
In class the other day we discussed how Archer in one way wants to go against society and be free, and also how he also seems to like the safety of New York Society. Now that we have read farther into the book, what do you think he will choose? Will he continue on with his indecisiveness or will he make the decision to brake out of society's mold/stay in society?
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I think that Archer has feelings for Ellen strong enough to do something that doesn't correspond with the society rules, but I think that he will end up marring May, to gain his social status and all the privileges that come with it. I think that Newland is not strong enough to brake out of society's mold, but he also has feelings for Countess Olenska, which makes me think that after he marries May he won't stop meeting Countess Olenska. (but he will do it secretly) He will marry May to gain his status and class and Countess Olenska will be his mistress, so that he gets both the social life and love at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Archer will be able to brake out of his own society because he is not enough brave. He admires people who can brake the rules of society and express what they really think and want "Archer, though all his deeper feelings, tasted the pleasurable excitement of being in a world where action followed an emotion with such Olympian speed"(#123) but at the same time he knows that he can't be one of those people because he was born in that society and even if he is not happy about it, he has to be part of it. A confirmation of this is the fact that when he is speaking about society he always includes himself in it: "(Olenska):-I alway feel as if i were in the convent again,or on the stage, before a dreadfully polite audience that never applauds- (Archer):-Ah you don't like US-" (#100).
ReplyDeleteGreat observations, Vale!!!
DeleteI agree, I think that Archer will continue on the course that he is on; that is that he will enjoy thinking about what it would be like to be different from society, but he does not have enough courage to act on his desires. I also think that Archer likes to see himself as someone who would be able to leave society like Olenska, but there are things he also enjoys in his life that society has given to him. Archer has repeatedly stated that he will like educating May on things outside of New York, because he has been to Europe. So I think that while Archer wants to escape from the society he was born into, he also has become accustom to it's customs and therefore does not posses the bravery to leave it, only to admire those who do.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Archer will break out of his current role in society. I think he feels comfortable with where he is and he won't do anything to change that. Archer is afraid of what might happen to him and what others will think of him. He has mentioned on different occasions throughout the book of how others might see him This shows that he cares how society perceives him. I think Archer will remain where he and continue to pity himself.
ReplyDeleteFrom what we have read so far, it definitely seems that Archer is a cowherd. Up until the last pages of our reading, Archer seems to be battling with his feelings but is too afraid of its impact to do anything about it. He is very preoccupied over what society would think of his decision. I believe that the reason why he wants to move the date closer is so that he forces him self to marry May. The sooner that happens, the sooner he thinks he will be able to forget about Ellen. I think he things that this is a phase. but he continually woes himself.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Archer will continue to stay in the safety of his New York Society and not choose to brake away from what he is used to because he is afraid to go against what he believes. An example of this was when he decides not to get with Madame Olenska because he would have to go against what he grew up learning. Even when Archer says that he loves Madame Olenska and wants to be with her, I don't think he would be able to leave his New York Society. His feelings at that moment were telling him that he could; but when he thinks about it, he would have second thoughts.
ReplyDeleteYo I don't know why all of you just think Archer is not brave enough to go against conventions. Ever since book II started, Wharton has showed Archer's dissent more and more often. True he is wondering back and forth but to break away from an oppressing, a conventional society like old New York is very difficult. To start scrutinizing the every details, every flaws of his life is somewhat incredible.To me, Archer kind of reminded me of George Orwell's 1984 when Big Wilson raised his doubt about the society he lived in. And eventually Big Wilson crossed the line and went against the social customs. I see a lot of connections between those two. They are both examining the society; they are both trying to cross the line but dare not too. Therefore I think Archer is no coward. He will cross the line at one point and be forced to go back just like Wilson did.
ReplyDelete