Edith Wharton: biography and photos

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Author of 20 novels and 10 short story collections. The first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize was Edith Wharton. The books "Ethan Frome", "The Age of Innocence", "The Abode of Joy" have now become classics of American literature. And based on the novel "The Age of Innocence", a film was made by Martin Scorsese, which became a triumph and received rave reviews from critics, and was also successful among the audience.

Biography

Edith Wharton was born in the USA in the city of New York on January 24, 1862, in a we althy family of aristocrats. From childhood, she showed interest in literature, at the age of 11 she wrote her first story. Very young, she married a successful banker, but this marriage turned out to be unhappy, so the couple soon broke up. She had a good friendship with lawyer W alter Berry.

The first successes in her work occurred in 1899, when the first collection of short stories was released. And in 1903, she met Henry James, with whom they were friends throughout their lives. He made an impression on Edith Wharton, which subsequently affected her work. Through her work, she demonstratedsolidarity in views with Henry James, and her stories are written in the genre of a psychological novel. Following the example of her colleague, in 1907 she moved to Paris, which became her literally second home.

During the war, she was active helping children who lost their parents, as well as refugees. She was one of the members of the Red Cross organization. For which she subsequently received an award from the French government.

Her most famous work was The Age of Innocence, and it was for this novel that she won the Pulitzer Prize. Many adaptations of Wharton's books have been made, such as Resident of Joy (2000), Ethan Frome (1993), The Age of Innocence (1993), The Reefs (2003), Moonlight (1923).

Age of Innocence

Edith Wharton forced many to change their worldview and think about their lives. Age of Innocence tells the story of Newland Archer, a lawyer. He must live an ordinary and unremarkable life. He is building a future career, and he has a young bride. But deep down, he dreams of something more, of true love. And his wishes are destined to come true, he is subdued by a magnificent woman, Countess Ellen Olenska, who is absolutely unhappy. And now he has to make a choice what kind of life he wants to live.

When society learns about this event, everyone around them decides that it is their privilege to condemn, in their hypocrisy they do not notice that they are actually denigrating a bright feeling and breaking the fate of those who do not deserve it. It is not uncommon whenLiterature uses the theme of opposition of love and condemnation of society. And unfortunately, society often wins in the struggle of people for their right.

The film was directed by Martin Scorsese and starred Michelle Pfeiffer, Daniel Day-Lewis and Winona Ryder. The film was awarded Oscar statuettes. And also received well by critics and the audience.

Ethan Frome

The novel was written in 1911 (filmed in 1993) and tells about simple human relationships, their feelings and lives, with a very instructive plot and ending. In general, like everything that the author wrote.

Iten Forum is a man who lives with his sick wife. One day, a young and beautiful relative of the wife comes to their house to receive shelter and care for her relative. In general, it is easy to understand what continuation of this story, but it does not matter, because of this, the plot of the story does not become boring.

Starring Patricia Arquette, Liam Neeson and Joan Allen.

Reefs

The film was made in 1999 and is an adaptation of Edith Wharton's 1912 novel of the same name, The Reef, or Where Happiness Breaks. Starring Timothy D alton and Power Ward.

The novel is about a love story that unexpectedly rekindled years later. Anna and George meet by chance after a long separation, and the old feelings reappear. Now they can be together, no obstacles stand in their way. And finally, he gets the long-awaited vacation andthere is an opportunity to come to his beloved for a weekend in Paris. But suddenly he receives a telegram with a couple of lines so that he does not come. George is disappointed, the bitterness of the last parting flares up again.

A man thinks that his lover has broken off the relationship, and during the trip he meets a girl named Sophie. From this, even greater love vicissitudes of the heroes begin.

Resident of Joy

The film was screened in 2000, and the novel was written in 1905. The story of a young girl, Lily Bart. She occupies a high place in society, and her beauty is mesmerizing. But she faces a downside, constant envy from those around her.

Lily wants to get married successfully so as not to disappoint her surroundings. But in the pursuit of happiness, she misses something more, real feelings.

Despite such an unremarkable plot, the story is very deep, in general, like all literature created by the writer Edith Wharton. It is difficult not to empathize with the main character, her difficult life path and the desire to remain herself.

Moonlight

Became the first adaptation of Edith Wharton's novel "In the Light of the Twinkling Moon", the premiere of the issue took place back in 1923. By the way, the script was written by Scott Fitzgerald. Although the relationship between the authors was not too warm. Their first meeting is legendary. After Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby came out. Wharton decided to invite him to visit. Both were extremely nervous before this event. The latter even while driving to the reception, several timesstopped, stopping by at the oncoming restaurants, this led to the fact that he arrived at the tea party, having pretty much accumulated. And he behaved according to his condition, but Edith was unperturbed all the time of the reception, however, she did not invite him to visit anymore.

But the novel tells about a young couple Suze and Nick, who are perfect for each other. They are young, handsome, with a title, have many rich and influential friends, but they themselves do not have a cent in their pocket. And then the girl offers to embark on an intrigue, to marry, this would give them the opportunity to live comfortably for at least a year. Since they could live on the gifts of friends and make visits to them. So they did, but things don't always go as planned.

Beautiful Edith Wharton

The famous mini-series produced by the BBC channel back in 1995, in fact, it is more correct to translate the name as "Pirates".

Three enterprising American women move from New York to London to find husbands. In England, they have a friend, Conchita, who has already managed to successfully marry a rich and influential man.

The appearance of girls in society is simply triumphant, they win the hearts of men of higher ranks. "The Pretty Women of Edith Wharton" is an incredibly interesting story. Everything is shown with passion, but not without a dose of drama.