Literary workshop: Edith Wharton and New York's Gilded Age

Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was born into a tightly controlled society at a time when women were discouraged from achieving anything beyond a proper marriage. Wharton broke through these strictures to become one of America’s greatest writers. Author of The Age of Innocence, Ethan Frome, and The House of Mirth, she wrote over 40 books in 40 years, including authoritative works on architecture, gardens, interior design, and travel. She was the first woman awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Yale University, and a full membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

This workshop will investigate how Wharton’s novels, especially The Age of Innocence, expose the tensions of New York’s Gilded Age, offering a sharp critique of its opulence and rigid expectations. Through discussion and analysis, we will uncover the timeless relevance of her work and its place in literary history.
The workshop will be hosted (in English) by Fernanda Moura PhD, English literature teacher at Leiden University. Prior knowledge of Wharton’s work is not required.
Advance registration is required. To register, please send an e-mail by May 1 at the latest to workshop@mayflowerbookshop.nl to secure your place.