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"Roman Fever"--date of composition?
QUESTION: When,exactly,was ROMAN FEVER written? Mary Filliol
9/7/04 |
R. W. B. Lewis has this to say in Edith Wharton: "'Roman
Fever,' the one happy aftereffect of the sickness that ruined Edith
Wharton's visit to Rome in 1934, is another instance of backward
glancing" (523). According to Shari Benstock, "Roman Fever" appeared
in Liberty magazine in November 1934. EW received $3,000
for it.
D. Campbell, 6/19/05 |
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What makes Ethan Frome a classic?
QUESTION: I am a ninth grade student and I am writing a paper on Ethan
Frome. I like the book very much, but I need to know what makes
this book a classic. Or some information on where to find this. Thanks Whitney
Kennedy
beardmb@icomnet.com 8/24/04
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Ethan Frome and Failure
I am writing a research paper in Ethan Frome and i am discussing
failure: Ethan's failure to marry the right woman, stand up to
his wife, etc. I need to have literary criticisms and or articles
backing up my ideas. I am have a horrendous time doing so. Any
help is overly appreciated. Emily Tolzien sweetcherryet@yahoo.com
8/4/04 |
Some of the recommended works on Ethan Frome
may help you. see these pages:
Student Queries 2002
Discussion Questions |
| Help with paper on Edith Wharton
My advanced English class is writing an essay on Edith Wharton
and her accomplishments. If anyone has any suggestions or advice,
please e-mail me! God bless!Morgan, mrkj_2008@hotmail.com 6/29/04
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"The Angel at the Grave" and Mythology
QUESTION: In a class that I am taking we read, "The Angel at the Grave" and
we thought that it may have had a link to Greek mythology in a way. I
was wondering if there was a link to this for sure, and if so what it
is? We thought that there could be a link through Orestes, Olympians-Jove,
Oracle, Pantheon (Greek & Roman), Antigone, Elecra & Iphagania,
Labyrinth, etc. Amber Forsythe 6/26/04
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Thesis on Summer
QUESTION: Dear reader,
I'd like to make my thesis on Summer.Would you be so kind to help about
it.Thx a lot. Abe_jakal@yahoo.com |
Can you be more specific about the kind of help you would like?
You are most likely to receive a response if you can show that you've
already done some research and you have a specific question. |
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Autobiographical Novel?
QUESTION: Which of Edith Wharton's novels is considered her most
autobiographical?
Rebekah Fowler greyegg@earthlink.net 6-4-04
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In "Edith Wharton: A Brief Biography," included in A
Historical Guide to Edith Wharton, ed. Carol J. Singley, Shari
Benstock writes, "Her novel The Reef (1912) treats
the complexities of family and romantic loyalties. This is her
most intellectual novel and one of two works in which she constructs
a heroine most like herself (the other is Ellen Olenska in The
Age of Innocence)" (37).
D. Campbell, 6/19/05 |
French Ways and Their Meaning
QUESTION: I'm writing a paper looking at the autobiographical details revealed
in Wharton's commentary and judgments in "French Ways and their Meaning." I'd
welcome any comments, insights, and suggestions!
Thank you very much! kramer@fas.harvard.edu 5-15-04 |
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Richardson's Clarissa
QUESTION: I would like to know whether anyone has written on the possible
connections between The House of Mirth and Samuel Richardson's Clarissa.
It is not just that Richardson quotes Ecclesiastes 7 in his long postscript
to the 3rd edition of the novel (1751), but rather that his ideas on tragedy,
the lack of culpability of his heroine and his defence of her fate all
seem equally appropriate to Lily Bart. I know she uses the name Clarissa
in Glimpses of the Moon.
Martin Regal 5-15-04
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The Age of Innocence: Good criticism on the novel?
QUESTION: My name is Kayla Galbraith and I am currently enrolled in my
high school's AP Literature course and for my senior paper, I am required
to compile a literary critique on my novel of choice. I chose The
Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. As a high school student there
isn't a large selection of literary criticisms to choose from in my high
school's library, and frankly I have no idea where to begin to find any
of worth. I plan to start at the local college library, but am wondering
if there are any particular authors I should look out for.
Thank you for your time. 5/15/04
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A good place to start would be the essays
collected with these editions of the novel; they will introduce
you to the critics and concepts:
Nowlin, Michael, ed. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton.
Broadview Press, 2002.
Singley, Carol, ed. The Age of Innocence: Complete
Text With Introduction Historical Contexts, Critical Essays New
York: Riverside, 2000.
Waid, Candace, ed. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton.
Norton Critical Edition. New York: Norton, 2003.
See also Linda Wagner-Martin's Edith Wharton's The Age of
Innocence: A Novel of Ironic Nostalgia (Twayne, 1996).
All of these are available through online booksellers, and some
will also be available in general libraries.
6/29/04 |
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"Pomegranate Seed" and "The Muse's Tragedy"
QUESTION: I'm doing research on Edtith Wharton for a paper in english
class. My thesis is the denial of both men and women when looking at
there parnters past realtionships based off two of her short short stories "the
Muse's Tragedgy" and "Promegranate Seed" i'm having trouble on where
to look for solid information for my paper. Any sugestions?
Kati BittoKE@aol.com 4-9-04
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Smoking in The House of Mirth
QUESTION: Can anyone explain cigarettes and smoking as a symbol
in The House of Mirth? Are there any other symbols besides money?
Thanks!
Charlene Leverette lukecd_99@yahoo.com 3-30-04 |
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Wharton's eyes (what color?)
QUESTION: Hello, I am a middle school student working on a project
called "Eminent Americans". For this project I am supposed
to "become" Edith Wharton, but first it is required
for me to learn as much personal information as possible. I have
been able to find most required information, however I have been
unable to find, regardless of where I search, for Edith Wharton's
eye color and her favorite color. It would be most appreciated
if someone could provide me this information.
Thank You,
Lianne Louie
cyberyuffie735@yahoo.com |
Edith Wharton had reddish hair and
brown or light brown eyes, according to her biographers. |
Angelica du Lac
Hi
I am an MA student in Tel-Aviv university. My thesis deals with the
use of art in "The House of Mirth", "The Age of Innocence" and
the short story "The Daunt Diana".
Can you recommend on relevant bibliographical items?
Furthermore, I have encountered in "The Age of Innocence" a
painting which is called "Angelica du lac" by Gainsborough
which I couldn't find anywhere. I don't know if this painting even
exits.
Thank you for your help.
einat segev
einat-se@yedtik.co.il 2/29/04 |
There is a general
bibliography on The House of Mirth that may
be helpful, but if readers of the site would send specific suggestions,
they'll be posted.
About the Gainsborough painting: Update 6/29/04: According to
Candace Waid's edition of the work (see above), this is "a
fictitious portrait" (33, n. 1). |
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Motives for writing Ethan Frome
QUESTION: What, if any, was Edith Wharton's person
motives for writing Ethan Frome? What are the intertwined themes
between Frome's New England farm, and her own life?karen wesala
kswesala@hotmail.com
2/24/04 |
If you read the preface
that Edith Wharton wrote to the 1922 edition of Ethan Frome,
you will find Wharton's explanation for why she wrote the novel.
Her biographers (Lewis, Wolff, Benstock, Dwight, etc.) discuss
the connections between Ethan's plight and Wharton's own unhappy
marriage. |
General information on Wharton
QUESTION: I am an italian student, my name is Amore Nadia. I
am preparing my thesis on Edith Wharton and her novel "The
house of mirth" so I need more material about her. Can you
give me some indication about any library where I could find
more material about her? If you have information please contact
me at this address: nadia_amore@yahoo.it
Thank you
2/25/04 |
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Wharton's Education
Dear Edith Wharton Society homepage,
It has come to my attention that I have not recalled any information
about Wharton's educational life. Was there any education involved?
Or did her mother pay for the publications for her books?
Sincerely,
Bobina*
Who is theauthor of this page? I need it for research if it is possible.
2/4/05 |
You can find information about Wharton's education
in her autobiography A Backward Glance and also in these
biographies:
Bell, Millicent. Edith Wharton and Henry James: A Story of
their Friendship. New York: Peter Olsen, 1965.
Benstock, Shari. No Gifts From Chance: A Biography of Edith Wharton.
New York: Scribner's, 1994.
Dwight, Eleanor. Edith Wharton, An Extraordinary Life: An Illustrated
Biography.
Lewis, R.W.B., and Nancy Lewis, eds. The Letters of Edith Wharton. New
York: Scribners, 1989.
Lewis, R.W.B.Edith Wharton: A Biography. New York: Harper & Row,
1975. Still the basically wonderfully researched and elegantly written
life.
Wolff, Cynthia Griffin. A Feast of Words: The Triumph of Edith Wharton.
New York: Addison-Wesley, 1977, 1995.
Wright, Sarah Bird.Edith Wharton A to Z: The Essential Guide to the
Life and Work. New York: Facts on File, 1998.
Most items at the EWS site are signed; if they are not signed,
the work is that of the site author (Donna
Campbell). |
Life and works
QUESTION: to what extent did Whartons life and background influence
her major works.esp, 'The Age Of Innocence'
jennifer, 97hollanje@ag-sch.org.uk 1/29/04 |
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Summer and place
QUESTION: In my English class we just began out research paper
on "Summer," by Edith Wharton. I have chose the topic of the
importance of places (such as the mountain, Lawyer Royall's house).
I would be much obliged if i could be provided with websites
presenting information on this topic. Thanks! Alexandra DiGiorgio
2/1/04 |
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