is convinced that she has many grievances. He thinks that if she expressed them, he could help her laugh them away. But they never share this mortal, emotional experience. May has been trained by her many years in the New York pantheon to conceal her wounds. She even escapes the aging process entirely by dying soon after the birth of their second child. She has managed to remain always young, always innocent and immortal.Ellen Olenska is mortal. Her mortality stands out in absolute contrast to May's immortality. Ellen grows older, she sheds tears and expresses her feelings. Right at the beginning of the book, Wharton states that New York society commented that Ellen had lost her looks. Newland noticed that she was not as radiant as she was in her youth. Her rosy cheeks were paler; her figure had become thinner and she looked her age. Ellen is about 30 years old in the book. Ellen and Newland are the only of Wharton’s characters who cry . She reveals her sadness and frustration to Newland. She is lonely and cannot cope with the people who surround her: demanding that she pretend. She also displays sympathy and humanity toward others. This is not characteristic in the New York society of gods in which she is placed. For instance, Ned Winsett is astonished that Ellen rescues and bandages his little boy. Without regard for herself or her appearance, she rushes in to help him when he falls down; she exhibits great sympathy. Even his wife was impressed by her behaviour; so much so that she was unable to ask her name. Ellen is perceived as a beautiful human being and this is first put into words by Ned, another mortal. Newland, of course, recognizes her inner beauty, as does Catherine Mingott after her stroke. Ellen’s ability to grow old and to be a sympathetic humanitarian put her in direct contrast with immortal beings that make up New York’s society. Newland realizes that he and Ellen stand out fro...
