The Age of Innocence, set in Victorian-era New York, tells the story of Newland Archer, a young man who secretly despises the decency and duty that comes with his social status. The scandalous “foreign” Baroness Ellen Olenska, Newland’s wife’s cousin, fuels his unrequited love, which destroys him.

The story begins in the early 1870s, on the day of Newland Archer’s engagement to May Welland, a beautiful and well-liked young girl of impeccable ancestry and manners. Ellen Olenska, May’s cousin who abandoned her difficult marriage to a wealthy Polish count, had recently arrived in New York from Europe. Ellen Olenska is unaware of the scathing criticism leveled at her as a result of her suspected affair with her husband’s secretary.

Ellen has spent the majority of her life in Europe, so she is unfamiliar of New York’s complex social and behavioral standards, as well as its intricate alliance structure. Ellen’s individualism is a constant source of offense in polite society, where the rule of never addressing “unpleasant” topics keeps her in the shadows.

Newland Archer decides to support May’s family by announcing his engagement straight soon, anticipating the social obstacles that Ellen’s presence will bring. Ellen settles down among artists and intellectuals in an out-of-the-way neighborhood of the city and begins to associate with people who are not considered respectable, such as financier and outlaw Julius Beaufort.

Her plans to split from her husband enrage New York even more. Newland, who values Ellen’s artistic and intellectual pursuits in private but conforms to society’s restrictive standards on the outside, is beginning to accept her right to divorce. He finds Ellen’s candor, global viewpoint, and nonconformity compelling, although sometimes shocking.

Ellen Olenska and her family feel alienated as a result of the practically universal rejection of their invitations to a formal dinner designed to introduce Ellen to society. Newland requests that his distant relatives, the van der Luydens, who are at the pinnacle of the social hierarchy, assist Ellen in order to make apologies for this insult to May’s family.

Ellen accepts their offer to supper at their home without showing the proper reverence because she is unaware of the social standing this implies. As Ellen expresses her desire to forget her past by blending into New York society, Newland promises to help her navigate the city’s social dynamics.

The contrast between Ellen and May, whose faultless respectability and meticulously preserved innocence render her devoid of any evidence of sincerity or depth, causes Newland to reconsider his decision to marry May. He responds by requesting that May’s family shift the wedding date forward.

Ellen’s family accuses Newland, who works for a law company, of giving Ellen legal counsel against divorce. Newland persuades Ellen not to divorce because he feels her husband’s claims of adultery are true and sees her as a naive victim of her own feminine weakness, fearing the shame and dishonor it would cause to her family.

Later, Newland pays a visit to Ellen in Skuytercliff, the van der Luydens’ family country home, where she has sought sanctuary. She is disturbed because others feel sorry for her and think she is powerless. They are interrupted by Julius Beaufort’s arrival, and Newland is jealous of Beaufort’s courting of Ellen.

The more Newland thinks about Ellen, the more he worries marrying May. He goes to St. Augustine, Florida, where May is residing with her parents, rather than responding to Ellen’s later summons. May is frightened by Newland’s desire on a speedy marriage. If he becomes impatient due to conflicting affections for another lady, she tells him to call off the engagement.

When Newland discovers that May does not believe Ellen is the other woman, he feels comforted. Newland reassures May that his impatience is proof of his commitment. Returning to New York, Newland asks Mrs. Manson Mingott, May’s socially important and eccentric grandmother, for help in advancing the marriage. The elderly woman mocks him, claiming that Ellen would have been a better wife for him.

Newland tells Ellen about his talk with May and admits that if given the opportunity, he would have married Ellen. Ellen claims that by convincing her not to pursue a divorce, he has made it impossible.

He knows she didn’t have an affair because she says after talking to him that she learned the importance of giving up her personal independence for the honor of her family. Ellen demands that he marry May after he pledges to end his engagement. A telegraph informing him of his approaching marriage in four weeks arrives at precisely that moment.

At a gorgeous traditional wedding, Newland and May say “I do.” As he performs the ritualistic activities required by custom, Newland is consumed by thoughts of Ellen. These tasks were once natural and meaningful to him, but he now regards them as insignificant trifles.

May’s inexperience and stupidity anger Newland during their honeymoon in Europe. She considers academic French tutor M. Rivière to be “ordinary,” so when she can’t understand why Newland wants to be friends with him, he realizes how much her dullness limits his life. After settling into a comfortable marriage with May, Newland loses track of Ellen Olenska, who has moved to Washington.

While on vacation in Newport this summer, Newland spots Ellen standing on a pier appreciating the water, which reignites his interest in her. He waits for her to turn to face him before leaving. When Newland discreetly enters Ellen’s home, he discovers that she has been summoned to Boston.

The next day, he goes there, where Ellen reveals him that she recently rejected overtures made by her husband’s emissary in an attempt to persuade her to get back together. Ellen explains to Newland that he must always consider May’s sentiments, which they protect by putting aside his own desires, when he argues he married the wrong woman. She says that as long as their relationship remains respectful, she will not return to Europe.

When Newland meets M. Rivière in New York, he learns that he is Count Olenski’s representative. M. Rivière informs Newland that the arguments he presented to Ellen’s family convinced them that she must return to her husband. M. Rivière urges Newland to explain to Ellen’s family how returning to the marriage would be harmful to her after speaking with Ellen.

Newland spends the next four months in a state of somnambulism, consumed by his yearning for Ellen. He informs May that he has business in Washington, where Ellen resides, as soon as he learns that the family is making plans behind his back to force Ellen’s return. Even though May does not say it, Newland knows she has reservations about his association with Ellen. On the day Newland plans to come to Washington, rumors circulate in New York that Julius Beaufort’s investment bank would fail due to his dishonest business practices.

Mrs. Manson Mingott suffered a stroke the previous evening, which she believes was caused by her incredulity that Regina Beaufort, her grandniece who is married to Julius, had the gall to approach the family for social assistance during the looming issue. Ellen, her favorite grandchild, must be contacted, she instructs. Newland agrees to meet Ellen at the station while creating a postponement of his Washington business.

Despite being aware of his lies, May continues to act as if nothing is wrong. Newland collects Ellen in May’s carriage. He promises her that he will wait till they can spend time together. Ellen urges him to accept that they can only have a covert relationship. She acknowledges that she is unwilling to sneak about because she has personal experience with the pain such behavior causes. However, she admits that he is not above it. Newland exits the carriage, in anguish, and begins to leave.

Because Ellen’s name is never used in his presence, Newland becomes suspicious. Mrs. Manson Mingott instructs him to persuade the family that Ellen must live with and care for her, but she insists that their conversation remain private. Newland is overjoyed since he no longer has to leave May and relocate far away to be near to Ellen.

Because there are no other private spaces in New York, Ellen and Newland are forced to meet there. They discuss how unpleasant it would be to continue their hidden relationship. Two days from now, they decide Ellen will leave after their affair. Later that day, after conversing with Ellen in depth, May tells Newland that she regrets unfairly judging her.

The next evening, Newland decides to come clean to May and request his freedom. Ellen had earlier that day decided to return to Europe to live independently of her husband, so May interrupts him when he mentions her by name. She traces Ellen’s decision to their talk the day before. Newland plans to travel to Europe with Ellen.

May arranges a farewell dinner for Ellen two weeks later. Everyone who has previously shunned and condemned Ellen is in attendance. Their outward politeness and welcoming attitude are an attempt to conceal any signs of scandal. At dinner, Newland realizes that everyone in New York, including his wife, has long regarded Ellen and him as lovers and has plotted to have her expelled.

That evening, Newland tries to be open with May. He begins by explaining that he must depart. May tells him that he is unable to do so because she only found out she was pregnant that morning. May lied to Ellen two weeks ago, telling her she was certainly pregnant, with the purpose of convincing her to leave. It’s been 26 years. The New York society of Newland’s youth is no more; May and Newland’s three children are grown, and May has died.

The eldest son of Newland says they will visit Ellen Olenska while in Paris. Although he sends his son in alone and waits outside Ellen’s house while imagining the situation inside, Newland realises that he and Ellen can now be close. He turns away and returns to his hotel, understanding that meeting Ellen would conflict with his flawless image of her.