, Janey has all the fallibilities of a mortal but her likeness to Cassandra suggests immortality.We continue with Catherine Mingott, the matriarch of the New York pantheon. Wharton aptly describes her rotund figure but explains that Mrs. Mingott’s plumpness keeps her skin pink, smooth and wrinkle-free. So despite her older years, her size is a trophy. She escapes the signs of aging. She appears immortal. Newland Archer thinks that if it is possible for Catherine to fall from immortality, he, too might be able to leave their society and live with Ellen Olenska in a mortal existence; for it is Catherine Mingott who does, indeed, fall from immortality. And she is the only of Wharton’s gods who seems to do so. Catherine is conscious of her presence within New York society. She places herself within walls that display a grand painting of the Olympiad. She also delivers edicts like a god, reproaching Ellen that she has erred and her life is ruined. Catherine has the ability to judge, condemn and bury. After she has finished with Ellen, she aims her barbs and condemnation at Mrs. Beaufort. But a stroke quickly follows soon after her rejection. She is mortally ill, and as a mortal, she may die. She has fallen from her state of godliness. She is no longer immortal. Her body provides evidence for this fall. It begins to age and deteriorate. She is pale and dark shadows appear in the crevices of her fat. Even her temperament changes. She takes on mortal traits, becoming compassionate and leaving behind her disapproving nature. She feels remorse for her previous judgements and thinks she may bring Ellen back to New York. Her focus has changed to humanity. She sheds her godly concerns. She realizes that she was too fast to condemn Ellen. She feels guilt because she stopped Ellen’s allowance. She knows that by denying Ellen a divorce, she misunderstood Ellen’s plight. Catherine is mortal. She priv...
