Newland Archer, a successful and charming young lawyer conducts himself by the
rules and standards of the polite, upper class New York society that he resides
in. Happily engaged to the pretty and conventional May Welland, his attachment
guarantees his place in this rigid world of the elite. However, the arrival of
May's cousin, the exotic and beautiful European Countess Olenska throws
Newland's life upside down. Comedic, subtle and cynical in style, Wharton paints
an evocative picture of a man torn between his passion and his obligation.