The Ultimate Study Guide for Edith Wharton's Summer

Summer is a novel by Edith Wharton that was first published in 1917. The novel tells the story of Charity Royall, a young woman who is sent to spend the summer with her wealthy aunt, Mrs. Peniston, in Newport, Rhode Island. Charity is a simple and innocent girl, and she is soon overwhelmed by the complex social world of Newport. She falls in love with Lucius Harney, a charming but unscrupulous man, and she becomes entangled in a web of deceit and betrayal. In the end, Charity learns a valuable lesson about the dangers of love and the importance of self-reliance.

Charity Royall is the protagonist of the novel. She is a young woman who is sent to spend the summer with her wealthy aunt, Mrs. Peniston, in Newport, Rhode Island. Charity is a simple and innocent girl, and she is soon overwhelmed by the complex social world of Newport. She falls in love with Lucius Harney, a charming but unscrupulous man, and she becomes entangled in a web of deceit and betrayal. In the end, Charity learns a valuable lesson about the dangers of love and the importance of self-reliance.

Lucius Harney is a charming but unscrupulous man. He is a member of the wealthy elite of Newport, and he is used to getting what he wants. He falls in love with Charity, but he is only interested in her because he thinks she is rich. When he discovers that she is not, he quickly loses interest in her.

Study Guide for Edith Wharton's Summer

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Mrs. Peniston is Charity's wealthy aunt. She is a kind and loving woman, but she is also very conventional. She is determined to find a suitable husband for Charity, and she does not approve of her relationship with Lucius Harney.

• "The world is a looking-glass, and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face."
• "Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds."
• "The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it."

1. Discuss the role of social class in Edith Wharton's Summer.
2. Analyze the character of Charity Royall.
3. Compare and contrast the characters of Lucius Harney and Mrs. Peniston.
4. Discuss the importance of the setting in Edith Wharton's Summer.
5. How does Edith Wharton use symbolism in her novel Summer?

Edith Wharton's Summer is a classic novel that explores the themes of love, betrayal, and self-reliance. The novel offers a rich and nuanced portrait of the social world of Newport in the early 20th century. It is a must-read for anyone interested in American literature or the history of social class.

Study Guide for Edith Wharton's Summer

by Course Hero

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1017 KB
Print length	:	30 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE