Twilight Sleep by Edith Wharton

 

Twilight Sleep

 

by Edith Wharton

 

Novel Summary by Olivia Salter

 

Twilight Sleep is a novel by the American author Edith Wharton, published in 1927. Set in the 1920s, the novel explores the lives of a wealthy New York family and the societal changes that were occurring during the time period.

The title "Twilight Sleep" refers to a popular drug-induced form of anesthesia that was used during childbirth in the early 20th century. The metaphorical use of the title suggests the numbness and detachment from reality that the characters experience in their privileged lives.

The story follows the lives of Pauline Manford and her family, including her husband Dexter and their children, as well as their extended family and friends. The Manfords are part of New York's elite society and are consumed with superficial social events and the pursuit of material wealth. They are also struggling to keep up with the changing times, as the younger generation begins to reject the values and traditions of their parents.

Pauline is a middle-aged woman who is searching for meaning and purpose in her life. She becomes involved in a spiritual movement called "The New Hope" which promises to bring enlightenment and happiness to its followers. The New Hope movement is a thinly-veiled critique of the popular New Thought movement of the time.

As Pauline becomes more involved in The New Hope, she begins to lose touch with reality and becomes increasingly detached from her family and friends. She is also torn between her loyalty to her husband and her attraction to a charismatic artist named Amory Manning.

Through the character of Pauline, Wharton explores the themes of identity, spirituality, and the changing social landscape of the 1920s. The novel also delves into the themes of gender and sexuality, as Pauline struggles to reconcile her desires with the societal expectations placed upon her as a wife and mother.

Wharton's writing in Twilight Sleep is characterized by her trademark wit and social commentary. The novel is a biting satire of the upper-class society of the time, and Wharton uses her characters to criticize the shallow and materialistic values that were prevalent in the 1920s.

In conclusion, Twilight Sleep is a thought-provoking novel that explores the lives of a wealthy New York family during a time of societal change. Edith Wharton's writing is sharp and insightful, and her characters are complex and multi-dimensional. The novel is a commentary on the shifting values of the 1920s and a critique of the superficiality of the upper-class society of the time.

The PDF might take a minute to load. Or, click to download PDF.

If your Web browser is not configured to display PDF files. No worries, just click here to download the PDF file.

About the Author 

Edith Wharton (/ˈhwɔːrtən/; born Edith Newbold Jones; January 24, 1862 – August 11, 1937) was an American novelist, short story writer, and designer. Wharton drew upon her insider's knowledge of the upper class New York "aristocracy" to realistically portray the lives and morals of the Gilded Age. In 1921, she became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Literature, for her novel The Age of Innocence. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1996. Among her other well known works are The House of Mirth and the novella Ethan Frome. Wikipedia 

 Buy Edith Wharton Books at Amazon