When focusing on any character's actions in a story, a direct correlation appears between each event and that person's characteristics. In one such instance, Edith Wharton's protagonist, Newland Archer, in The Age of Innocence performs certain actions, the motivations for which can be found within his characteristics. Newland submits to marrying socialite, May Welland, rather than risking everything for the one shunned by society, Countess Ellen Olenska. Several aspects of Newland's personality affect his choice to remain with May: his desire for society's approval, his passiveness, and his overall inability to look at the broad view of life. The combination of these three place Newland in a position where he cannot act on what his true desires. Wharton builds Newland with these traits so that he must choose May over Ellen. Newland's decision to marry May illustrates the author's criticism of the way society can control lives.

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