One-line Summary:

“The Custom of the Country” is a satirical novel that follows the ambitious and manipulative Undine Spragg as she navigates the upper echelons of society in her relentless pursuit of wealth and status.

Undine Spragg’s Rise to Society

“The Custom of the Country” by Edith Wharton is a scathing critique of the American social elite at the turn of the 20th century, as seen through the eyes of the protagonist, Undine Spragg. Undine is a beautiful, but morally bankrupt young woman from the Midwest who is determined to climb the social ladder at any cost.

Undine’s journey begins when she convinces her parents to move to New York City, where she believes her beauty and charm will open doors to a glamorous life. However, she quickly realizes that her provincial upbringing and lack of connections make it difficult for her to break into high society. Undeterred, she sets her sights on Ralph Marvell, a young man from an old-money family.

Undine’s relentless pursuit of Ralph leads her to manipulate and deceive those around her, including her own family. She eventually succeeds in marrying Ralph, but quickly becomes disillusioned with his lack of wealth and social standing. Undine’s dissatisfaction drives her to seek out other suitors who can provide her with the lifestyle she desires.

The Consequences of Undine’s Ambition

As Undine continues to navigate the upper echelons of society, she leaves a trail of broken relationships and ruined lives in her wake. She divorces Ralph and marries a French aristocrat, Raymond de Chelles, hoping to secure her place among the European elite. However, she soon realizes that her new husband’s family is deeply in debt, and her dreams of wealth and status are once again shattered.

Undine’s relentless pursuit of her own desires blinds her to the needs and feelings of those around her. She uses her beauty and charm to manipulate men, treating them as stepping stones to her own success. Her actions have devastating consequences for those who fall under her spell, including her own son, Paul, whom she neglects in favor of her own ambitions.

The Satirical Critique of Society

“The Custom of the Country” serves as a scathing critique of the American social elite and their obsession with wealth and status. Edith Wharton exposes the hypocrisy and shallowness of this world through Undine’s character, who embodies the worst traits of the upper class.

Wharton’s novel highlights the destructive nature of unchecked ambition and the consequences of valuing material wealth above all else. Undine’s relentless pursuit of social standing leads her to sacrifice personal relationships and moral integrity, ultimately leaving her isolated and unfulfilled.

Key Takeaways:

• Ambition and the pursuit of wealth can lead to moral bankruptcy and the destruction of personal relationships.
• The American social elite at the turn of the 20th century valued material wealth and status above all else.
• Wharton’s novel serves as a critique of the shallow and hypocritical nature of this society.

“She had everything she wanted, but she still felt, at times, that there were other things she might want if she knew about them.” – Edith Wharton

In conclusion, “The Custom of the Country” is a scathing critique of the American social elite and their obsession with wealth and status. Through the character of Undine Spragg, Edith Wharton exposes the destructive nature of unchecked ambition and the consequences of valuing material wealth above all else. The novel serves as a reminder that true happiness and fulfillment cannot be found solely in the pursuit of wealth and social standing.