The Age of Innocence: who's who, timeline and places
Everyone in The Age of Innocence, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.
- Newland ArcherNewland Archer admires May Welland and accepts the social rules governing their fashionable circle.First seen in part 1
- MayMay Welland has declared her affection for Newland, who admires what he considers her innocence.First seen in part 1
- Mrs. Manson MingottMrs. Manson Mingott is an independent woman with an unconventional household and strong influence over her family.First seen in part 2
- Julius BeaufortJulius Beaufort belongs to a household whose lavish hospitality secures social standing despite doubts about his background.First seen in part 3
- Mrs. ArcherMrs. Archer is Newland's mother and accompanies him as he begins his customary engagement calls.First seen in part 4
- Mrs. WellandMrs. Welland joins May and Newland during their engagement visit to Mrs. Manson Mingott.First seen in part 4
- Sillerton JacksonSillerton Jackson is a dinner guest who shares gossip about Ellen with the Archer household.First seen in part 5
- Louisa van der LuydenLouisa van der Luyden is someone Newland wants his mother to approach for help against Ellen's social rejection.First seen in part 6
- Lawrence LeffertsLawrence Lefferts is the man Newland blames for Ellen's social rejection and accuses of concealing an affair.First seen in part 7
- M. RivièreM. Rivière is a tutor whose conversation offers Newland intellectual companionship at Mrs. Carfry's London dinner.First seen in part 20
- DallasDallas is Newland's son, who persuades his widowed father to travel abroad before his own marriage.First seen in part 34
- Part 1
Newland admires May at the opera while an unexpected woman's arrival draws society's attention toward the Mingott family.
- Part 2
Newland joins the family's opera box to support May and press for an immediate engagement announcement.
- Part 3
May announces her engagement to Newland at the Beauforts' ball.
- Part 5
Newland defends Ellen's separation and argues for women's freedom during dinner with Sillerton Jackson.
- Part 7
The van der Luydens counter Ellen's social rejection by inviting her to meet the Duke of St. Austrey.
- Part 9
Newland visits Ellen, hears her challenge New York society, and later sends her anonymous yellow roses.
- Part 12
Newland warns Ellen that divorce accusations could damage her standing, and she agrees to follow his advice.
- Part 15
Beaufort interrupts Newland's private conversation with Ellen at Skuytercliff, provoking Newland's jealousy.
- Part 16
May offers to release Newland from their engagement if he loves another woman, but he reassures her.
- Part 18
Newland and Ellen confess their love, but she refuses happiness built on broken obligations.
- Part 19
Newland marries May while thoughts of Ellen interrupt his attention to the wedding.
- Part 20
Newland enjoys M. Rivière's conversation at a London dinner, while May worries about appearances and social standing.
- Part 21
Newland sees Ellen at the shore but retreats without speaking to her.
- Part 23
Newland finds Ellen in Boston, learns she rejects her husband's financial offer, and persuades her to take a boat trip.
- Part 24
Ellen insists that protecting May gives their restraint its purpose, and Newland accepts her limits.
- Part 25
M. Rivière privately urges Newland to prevent Ellen from returning to her husband.
- Part 27
Mrs. Manson Mingott suffers a mild stroke after refusing Regina Beaufort's appeal and summons Ellen to New York.
- Part 29
Newland collects Ellen at the station, but she rejects his imagined life together during their carriage ride.
- Part 30
Mrs. Manson Mingott offers Ellen a home and her allowance, asking Newland to defend the arrangement.
- Part 31
At the museum, Newland secures Ellen's agreement to come to him once despite her determination not to hurt others.
- Part 32
Newland prepares to confess his feelings, but May announces Ellen's planned return to Europe before he can explain.
- Part 33
At Ellen's farewell dinner, Newland concludes that the guests silently support separating them without scandal.
- Part 33
May reveals her pregnancy and admits telling Ellen she was certain before she actually knew.
- Part 34
In Paris with Dallas, Newland remains outside Ellen's building and returns alone to his hotel.
Hidden until you have read that far.
- New YorkNew York is the city whose fashionable society gathers at the Academy of Music.First seen in part 1
- OperaThe Opera at the Academy of Music is a gathering place where fashionable society watches performances and one another.First seen in part 1
- BostonBoston is the city where Ellen is staying when Newland learns she is away from the Blenkers' home.First seen in part 22
- ParisParis is the city where Ellen decides to live rather than return to her husband.First seen in part 33
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