What is the theme in The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton?

The role of women is another theme in the book. The contrast between Ellen and May is sharp. May is the pure and beautiful product of old New York and all of its elements. After she and Newland are married, he often observes how she is quickly becoming a younger version of her mother. May represents traditional womanhood in the New York social system. On the other hand, Ellen has been absent from New York for quite some time, and her time in Europe has changed her. She relies on Newland to help her navigate the treacherous social waters in which she finds herself upon her scandal-ridden return. She is mysterious and exotic, yet accessible. Unlike the other women in the community, Ellen has had experiences that are hers alone, not shared by an entire social set. She views herself differently than the other New York women view themselves, and as a result, she is seen as a completely different kind of woman.