The Age of Innocence is an ironic title. No one in the entire society described in the book is innocent at all. They are all naïve but not one of them is innocent, they are all liars, hypocrites, and /or fake. The entire society that Newland Archer, the main character, lives in is based on being outwardly happy. The societies ?rules? make it look like everything going on is good and if you are …showed first 75 words of 534 total…

…showed last 75 words of 534 total…marriage to May will be like and decides to marry her instead of Olenska because he wants the stability, and does not want to forfeit his position in society. May from the start seems not to realize what is going on between Archer and Ellen, which adds to the appearance of her innocence. Only years later, after Mays death does Archer and May?s son tell him that she knew about Newlands infatuation with Ellen.