The Age of InnocenceSocial classes have been ingrained in society since the establishment of a hierarchy. In The Age of Innocence written by Edith Wharton, Archer is a prime example of emptiness due to the injustice of social class. Humanity becomes superficial when we focus on material possessions to determine their value or popularity. In The Age of Innocence, the author explores high society life in early Victorian New York. The upper classes consider themselves more important than the people below. They are also simple-minded and consider the poor useless and worthless due to their social status. Finally, Wharton questions whether the class system is truly necessary because it creates injustice in society by ignoring people beneath them. While money is important to the growth of the economy, it creates conflict when others are dismissed because of their wealth. The higher society considers themselves superior because of their “net worth”. Money is so valuable that you are ashamed if you lose it, and when she said, "But my name, aunt, my name is Regina Dallas," I said, "It was Beaufort when he showered you with jewels, and it must remain Beaufort now." that has covered you with shame" (Wharton 271). Lauren Tomlinson highlighted the idea of ​​how "money is used as a symbol of human worth." Tomlinson agrees that materialistic values ​​are flawed in the world of the novel. Their vain society focuses on lavish parties and opera performances as a way to determine who is important and who is not. In fact, she always gave her ball during an opera evening to emphasize her complete superiority in domestic care and his possession of a staff of servants competent to organize every detail of the ent......middle of paper......nocence is a warning to humanity that we will be very superficial and hated if we continue to put wealth before others.Works Cited Bussey, Jennifer. "Critical Essay on 'The Age of Innocence'."." Literary Resource Center. Np, May 13, 2013. Web. May 14, 2014. “Literary Analysis of the Age of Innocence.” Literary analysis of the age of innocence. Np, nd Web. 13 May 2014. .Tomlinson, Lauren. "Literary Analysis Money and Human Value in Edith Wharton's Age of Innocence 360. Np, April 28, 2008. Web. May 13, 2014. .Wharton, Edith The Age of Innocence New York: Knopf Publishing Group, 1993. Print.