Chapter 1 Summary

The story takes place in the early 1870's. It is January, and the setting is the Academy of Music in New York City during a production of Faust. The press, for that season's showing of Faust, had been very good. Scenes from the musical are described throughout this chapter.

The author explains the hierarchy of transportation that the "who's who" of New York society had available to them. There are private broughams, family landau, or brown coupes. The advantage of having a private coupe is that its owner is able to bypass a crowd to make a quick exit.

We are introduced to Newland Archer, a young man who was raised to abide by the rules of society. He arrives fashionably late to the musical after dining with his mother and sister, whom he lives with.

Newland contemplates the significance of his arrival...