The Other, Other, Man.

Melissa McMahon

February 19 2009

Journal on Wharton

"She dropped into her low chair by the tea table, and the two visitors, as if drawn by her smile, advanced to receive the cups she held out. She glanced around for Waythorn, and he took the third cup with a laugh."

Wharton ends her story, "The Other Two" with this poignant scene that leaves poor, befuddled Mr. Waythorn with the realization that not only is her the "other man," he is actually the "other, other man." His wife, married 3 times, seems to try to charm any and everyone she comes in contact with- and her flirtatious and overly friendly personality leave her new husband with a bad taste in his mouth- and it has nothing to do with the tea. In this scene, Waythorn is seeing his wife for who she really is- and he laughs out loud of the total absurdity of it all- and maybe because a slight feeling of insecurity.

Mrs. Waythorn reminds me of a Beverly Hills "housewife," a good looking- perfumed trophy who can charm anything around her at the drop of a hat. As long as she remains on the outside devoted to her husband, it doesn't matter her feelings on the inside- for others, for him, for herself. I suspect Mrs. Waythorn thrives on the thrill of attention from men- that excitement that comes from being needed, noticed, loved. She ours herself into her 'wifely duties,' by preparing their coffee, taking tea with them in the afternoons, and appearing to be a perfectly rose tinted vision for their evening meals. The problem, however, is that it is a role she has played many times, and sometimes she forgets who she is playing the role for. Mr. Waythorn at first felt awed and possessive of her, and of her beauty. When he realizes that she may not be the perfect trophy that he thought she was- his world becomes shaken, and he understands his 'position' in her life.

Wharton does so much with this piece without ever really plumping up the dialogue at all. All of the undercurrents of emotions are suggested, never spoken aloud. A hint of a blush suggests shame, a turned back represents his displeasure...and underneath all of these physical movements burns the very real core of the story. A story of facades and betrayal.

Wikipedia describes Wharton's writing style of her novels as:

"Many of Wharton's novels are characterized by a subtle use of dramatic irony. Having grown up in upper-class pre-World War I society, Wharton became one of its most astute critics. In such works as The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence she employed both humor and profound empathy to describe the lives of New York's upper-class and the vanishing of their world in the early years of the 20th century"

Wharton's use of dramatic irony richly outlines her stories. It also supplies a needed kick of humor. With Wharton's characters, the readers are left wondering if they will ever 'do' anything about their love lives or affairs. It seems as though entire pages pass with a molten inside while dainty words pepper the outside. Wharton's use of this tactic makes her works incredibly enjoyable- and her timeless storytelling ability continues to be a much loved addition to American Literature.