Edith Wharton Novels (FULL)

Class Description

Participants will read three novels of significant literary merit written by the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction—Edith Wharton. Wharton exquisitely captures the complexity of relationships of the time. Each of the novels portrays ethical dilemmas: characters caught in conflict between individual desires and societal expectations. We’ll discuss the author’s background, style, and themes, as well as the moral questions she raises. Finally, we will view online author interviews and other readings.

Linda Levine received an MA in English Education from Northwestern University. She has taught English and Humanities for many decades, including previous seminars at The Newberry and at Oakton College.

What to Expect

Format: In Person 

Class Capacity: 20 

Class Style: Mix of lecture and discussion; participation encouraged 

Materials List

Required

• Edith Wharton, The House of Mirth. Wordsworth Editions, 1997. ISBN: 9781840224191

• Wharton, The Age of Innocence. Warbler Classics, 2024. ISBN: 9781962572682

• Wharton, Ethan Frome. Book Jungle, 2009. ISBN: 9781438515298

First Assignment

• For the first session, please read House of Mirth – Book 1, Chapters 1-9

A Brief Syllabus

1. House of Mirth — Book 1, ch. 1-9
2. House of Mirth — Finish Book 1, Book 2, ch 1-3
3. House of Mirth — Finish book
4. Ethan Frome
5. The Age of Innocence — Book 1
6. The Age of Innocence — Book 2

Cost and Registration

This class is full, but you can still register for the waitlist on Learning Stream.

6 Sessions, $270 ($243 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.

We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($270), Community Supported ($250), and Sponsor ($290). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.

To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.

Having trouble signing up? Take a look at our step-by-step guide to registration by clicking here.

The views and opinions expressed in this class and/or by the instructor are not necessarily representative of the Newberry. We aim to ensure that in our classes, participants can have respectful disagreement to foster critical thinking. This is a space to challenge and expand our own worldviews to work towards better understanding and appreciating humanity.

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