Edith Wharton was a prolific American author of novels, novellas, short stories, poetry, travel writing and criticism. During this course we will be considering three of her novels: The House of Mirth (1905). The Age of Innocence (1920). The Children (1928). We will examine the novels individually and in relation to each other as well as look at specific themes such as: The effect of class on behaviour. The female intruder as a critic of society. The American attitude to progress. Social order, tradition & hypocrisy. Marriage and its' restraints on personal freedom. We will spend 3 weeks on each novel. At each seminar we will study specific passages and course members will be encouraged to prepare topics for discussion in advance. If the opportunity arises, we may also discuss film interpretations of the novels.