On October 15, 1920, Edith Wharton's novel The Age of Innocence was published, a work that was quickly recognized as one of the most important in American literature. The novel explores the social values and moral challenges of high society in New York City during the 1870s.

The story follows Newland Archer, a successful lawyer who is faced with a moral dilemma between duty and his personal desires. His friendship with Countess Ellen Olenska, a woman returning from Europe and causing scandal, forces him to re-examine the social conventions surrounding him.

Wharton, with her unique writing, captures the harsh realities of social pressure and the hypocrisy of the aristocracy, bringing to the fore the internal conflicts and desires of her characters. The play is full of details that highlight the life of the time, traditions and restrictive social norms.

"The Age of Innocence" won the Pulitzer Prize in 1921, making her the first woman writer to win the award. The work not only defined Wharton's place in the literary legacy of the United States, but also affirmed the power of the female voice in literature.

The impact of the novel remains strong as it continues to be studied and analysed in educational institutions. The Age of Innocence is a timeless work that explores the conflict between individual desire and social obligation, leaving an indelible mark on American literature.