At the beginning of Edith Wharton’s novel The Age of Innocence, Ellen Olenska is reported to be 30 years old. This age is significant as it highlights her status as a woman who is considered ‘past her prime’ in the societal expectations of the time. It also sets the stage for her struggle against the rigid social norms of New York’s upper class, as she returns from Europe to a society that views her with a mix of curiosity and disdain. Ellen’s age underscores her position as both an outsider and a subject of fascination, which is central to the themes of the novel.
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