the society judges Ellen as a “bad” woman because she has run away from her husband and without any fear she behaves in a different way. Moreover, she is
regarded as a rebellious person against the conservative norms in the Old New York society in order to be an independent individual. Furthermore, the society
where Ellen lives is considered as the patriarchal society since men have entire legal right to their wives and can use legal means to constrain their liberty.
Related to this condition, Ellen bravely executes several actions to rebel against this kind of society. It is mentioned in the novel that getting along with New York
gentlemen, breaking social customs, and asking for a divorce are the ways of Ellen to rebel against the patriarchal society in Old New York.
1. Getting along with New York Gentlemen
Abbot 13 mentions that women in the nineteenth century understood the constraints that marriage imposed on freedom. Therefore, they had to accept the
social restrictions that put into effect a domestic model of marriage. On the contrary, Ellen who is a still married woman gives the impression that she pays no
attention to such kind of estimation. She is open-minded that she feels unbanned by any restrictions to do what she pleases. However, it leads people to think that
she is too unconventional to live among Old New York society. In the novel, it is said that in the second day after Ellen’s arrival in New
York, she meets Julius Beaufort in Madison Square. Ellen is pleasant to let Julius Beaufort walk home with her. They stop by at Mrs. Minggott’s house and have a
visit there Wharton 23. This is one of improper actions in New York society because a married woman is not supposed to be seen walking with a man who is
not her husband. Mrs. Welland’s and Mr. Jackson’s reaction after seeing Ellen getting along with Julius Beaufort is described as:
No one alluded to Ellen Olenska; but Archer knew that Mrs. Welland was thinking:Its a mistake for Ellen to be seen, the very day after her arrival,
parading up Fifth Avenue at the crowded hour with Julius Beaufort Wharton 24.
Mr. Jackson gave a faint sip, as if he had been tasting invisible Madeira. Mrs. Beaufort may not—but Beaufort certainly does, for she was seen
walking up Fifth Avenue this afternoon with him by the whole of New York Wharton 29.
Here, the society does not tolerate Ellen who is still the wife of Count Olenski shows around with New York gentlemen. It is considered a shame of
family. However, Ellen apparently is not concerned about such things. In fact, the Newland family feels disgraced by Ellen’s unusual behavior
that is her close relationship with some New York gentlemen. In the novel, it is mentioned that Janey Newland complains to Archer about Ellen’s outrageous
misconduct. According to her, this will cause a bad reputation to the Newland family because one of her family members marries with Ellen’s family.
“NEWLAND Do listen. Your friend Madame Olenska was at Mrs. Lemuel Strutherss party last night: she went there with the Duke and Mr.
Beaufort At the last clause of this announcement a senseless anger swelled the
young mans breast. To smother it he laughed. Well, what of it? I knew she meant to.
Janey paled and her eyes began to project. You knew she meant to--and you didnt try to stop her? To warn her?
Stop her? Warn her? He laughed again. Im not engaged to be married to the Countess Olenska The words had a fantastic sound in his own
ears. Youre marrying into her family.
Oh, family--family he jeered. Newland--dont you care about Family?
Not a brass farthing. Nor about what cousin Louisa van der Luyden will think? Wharton 69.
The above quotation shows that Janey asks Archer to warn Ellen concerning her relationship with New York gentlemen. And it is one of
unacceptable behaviors Ellen commits throughout her existence in Old New York. She thinks Ellen’s misconduct has to be stopped as it deals with disgracing their
family’s reputation. She argues that Ellen’s prior society is different from New York society. This society is not as particular as Ellen what has had in Europe
Wharton 71. Essentially, Ellen is open-minded that according to Archer she does not
care a hang about where she lives or about any social sign posts Wharton 101. However, Ellen still has a reason for only getting along with some New York
Gentlemen like Julius Beaufort and the Duke. They can understand what she means and can explain things to her Wharton 61. They are all alike that they are
accustomed to European courts. In the novel, it is mentioned that the Duke goes where he is amused. He likes to attend parties and enjoy music Wharton 73.
While Beaufort who is more vulgar used to deal with two different societies that make him careless over local prejudice. Similar to Ellen who is greatly artistic,
Beaufort also has good interests in arts and amusements. Therefore, he always understands every turn of Ellen’s dialect and speaks it fluently Wharton 114.
They can always understand what she means and can explain things to her Wharton 61. They admire Ellen the way she is. Ellen is what she is when she
gets along with those gentlemen. She feels free to do what she pleases. Furthermore, Ellen is brave to utter her opinion towards Old New York. It
is described that Ellen hates people who like to pretend in order to cover their misfortune.
If you knew how I like it for just THAT-- the straight-up-and-downness, and the big honest labels on everything
The real loneliness is living among all these kind people who only ask one to pretend Wharton 61
She is asked not to be seen when driving about the streets with Beaufort. Mrs. Welland requires one condition to Ellen that their family will never hear anything
unpleasant about her Wharton 61. However, Ellen seems to refuse such society’s demand. This is her rebellion against the society that sets woman as the disgrace
carrier.
2. Breaking Social Customs of Old New York
