Chapter 8-10

Chapter 8- Many at the dinner felt that the Countess Olenska had "lost her looks." Ellen showed up late and flustered, yet unaware that she was breaking multiple "New York rules," by her actions. The Duke and the Countess had a long conversation in the corner when they should of greeted many guests before talking to one person in particular but apparently they knew each other from dinners in Europe. After when Ellen is talking to Newland she says that the Duke is "the dullest man she has ever met," which is certainly something never said. They discuss the engagement and Ellen admits that she wishes that she remembered all the customs so she would stop making mistakes, just as the conversation ends, Ellen tells Newland to come by the next day after 5.

Chapter 9- Newland went to Countess Olenska's house the next day, which was all wrong by New York standards. First of all it was on the wrong part of the city in a strange area, then it was decorated oddly, also Newland was waiting quite awhile before Ellen arrived. Ellen again hints that she would like to know all the customs of New York. His first idea is to stay away from Beaufort. Then the Duke from the party arrived with Mrs. Struthers, they invite Ellen to Mrs. Struthers house tomorrow for music and fun, and Ellen accepts. When Newland leaves he buys sends flowers to May, as usual but also sends some yellow roses to Ellen, but without a name.

Chapter 10- The next day, Newland and May go for a walk together in the park, when Newland talks of eloping May being a good girl laughs and changes the subject. Yet he still thinks about eloping and change. That night Janey came into his room saying that his mother was awfully angry because Ellen had gone to Mrs. Struthers's party, but she shouldn't of because Mrs. Struthers is too "common." The van der Luydens come to visit, who heard where Ellen was and want to try and help her learn of New York's many ways.

Chapter 7

Chapter 7- Ok so basically not too much happens in Chapter 7. The Archers visit the van der Luyden's hoping they would do something to convince people to come to meet Ellen. But the van der Luyden's have plans that evening and instead invite Ellen to a very selective formal dinner intended for only the most important people, honoring the Duke of St. Austrey, who is Lousia can der Luyden's cousin. There was a lot of fancy talk concerning gossip about the Leffertses,some of which i found boring.

Chapter 6

Chapter 6-Newland begins to wish that women were more free. He feels that women were so trained by their mothers, grandmothers and aunts that they don't even show much of their own personality. He feels that few marriages and relationships even have real passion and love although he says that he really does love May. He wishes that women were more of an individual than trying to be the perfect wife. Newland says that what May's parents made her become is exactly what he should desire in a wife, yet he feels like he wants to really know his wife and not some fake persona.
The next day, the Mingott's sent out invitations for a dinner party to "meet Countess Olenska" but all of the guests claim they cannot come and that they have prior commitments. The Mingott's are offended because living in New York, one knows exactly when people have plans and thus plan around them. Newland tells his mother and both feeling bad go to visit the van Luydens, to try and convince them to come, since they are very important social figures by New York standards, coming from very important families.

Chapters 3-5

Chapter 3- The Beauforts had a wonderful ball and had a beautiful house according to Newland. They had their own red carpet and ball-room. Newland was anxious that Ellen Olenska would change her mind and show up but she didn't. Miss Welland announced her engagement to Newland. Newland and May Welland have the customary meeting in the conservatory where they had a chance to talk. May asks him if he told her cousin Ellen about their engagement which he lied and said he didn't have a chance. May worries that Ellen would be offended and feel that she were forgotten. Newland says that there is a shadow of shade on poor Ellen Olenska's reputation. But I don't know what exactly has happened yet to of caused this.

Chapter 4- Newland visits Mrs. Manson Mingott to receive her blessing, and Ellen walks in after a day of shopping with Julius Beaufort. While Mrs. Manson Mingott and Julius talk, Newland tells Ellen about the engagement but she has already heard about it. As he leaves he says he is glad that he is marrying another New Yorker.

Chapter 5- The following evening Mr. Sillerton Jackson comes to dine with the Archers. Mrs. Archer is a small shy woman, who only has visitors like Mr. Jackson when she wants to know gossip. Mr. Jackson sometimes would send his sister Sophy in his place when it is someone of less importance. Mrs. Archer is a widow and lives with Newland and her daughter Janey. At dinner they discuss Ellen, Mr. Jackson says that there were rumors that the secretary helped Ellen escape from her husband who practically kept her prisoner, and that now she wants a divorce and to live in New York. Later when Newland and Mr. Jackson were smoking cigars Mr. Jackson says that he heard the secretary not only helped her escape but that they were found living together at Lausanne. Newland declares that he wished women were as free as men.

Chapters 1,2

Well, so far the book seems pretty good, but I am just beginning. I have learned that Newland Archer is the protagonist and he is engaged to May Welland. The books starts off at the opera house in New York City. May Welland is a descendant of Mrs. Manson Mingott who Newland describes as old and obese. Lawrence Lefferts is a friend of Newland's and was considered the expert of "form" as Newland says but I am not quite sure what this means just yet. Mr.Sillerton Jackson is considered the expert on "family" he knew who was related to who and some gossip about them. May Welland seems nice but i haven't learned too much about her just yet. However at the Opera House that first night sitting in Mrs. Mingott's box along with others is a cousin of the Mingott's, Countess Olenska, she is a young girl but seems not too used to the high society she was thrust into that night. She was dressed strange and didn't attend the ball afterwards. I think that something happened between Newland and this girl in the past, but i do not know what just yet.