Edith Wharton

Edith Wharton is one of the most influential figures in American Literature today. Born during the Civil War, Wharton witnessed America changing rapidly. When writing a research paper on Wharton, one must realize her background and the time in history in which she lived. Note that all of her works are greatly influenced by the events in U.S. history that were taking place. The rise of industrialism, the loss of the prairie and immigrant migration were all prolific themes within her work and also important aspects of the culture of the day. One cannot write about Wharton and not include cultural and historical aspects that influenced her.

Wharton was also influenced by the prolific writers of her day. Writers such as Henry James, William Faulkner and James Joyce were all read by her. Henry James was also a close friend of hers. She lived and moved in upper class circles, which is reflected in works such as The House of Mirth and the Age of Innocence. However, she also understood the lower class fight for survival in a changing industrial era, such as the story of Ethan Frome.

Wharton was an independent and artistically influenced in her actions and choice of companions. Married for 30 years to Edward "Teddy" Wharton, Edith bored of him and divorced him and moved permanently to Paris. She mingled with the high-society of European writers and was considered one of the great writers of the 20th Century.

If you are having difficulty writing a research paper on Edith Wharton, our professional writers can assist you with explicating her work or her life. Wharton is sometimes a complex subject because she is tied so closely to the cultural and social advances of her day. One must understand the historical time period of her works in order to understand what is happening in each of her novels. Get help with Edith Wharton research from Paper Masters.