伊迪斯·华顿的最优秀的作品《纯真年代》主要描写了贵族青年纽兰和埃伦的爱情悲剧。这个看似寻常的爱情故事却反映了美国社会典型的时代特征—清教主义传统对人性的束缚,成为其束缚人的枷锁。正是由于作家用看似琐碎的爱情题材揭示了深刻的清教传统的影响,才使得这部小说历久弥新,成为美国文学史上的一朵奇葩。 Edith Wharton’s best work “innocence” mainly describes the love tragedy of aristocratic youths Newland and Ellen. This seemingly unusual love story reflects the typical characteristics of the times in American society - the bondage of Puritanism to human nature and the shackles of its bondage. Precisely because the writer reveals the profound influence of the Puritan tradition with seemingly trivial issues of love, this novel has long been a novel and has become a wonderful work in the history of American literature.