Based on the topographical level of Gabriel Zoran in Towards a Theory of Space in Narrative, this paper regards the protagonists’ love tragedy as the research subject and content analysis is the main research method. Through the analysis of the content of the novel, the paper is divided into several specific spaces from the topographical level to study the love tragedy of the protagonists. Space presents multidimensional attributes and assumes a clearer narrative context than time. Therefore, from the perspective of the topographical level, it can also be a window to understand the novel and the social situation of the United States at that time. The spatial images of Old New York and surrounding cities in the novel are no longer simply topographical level icons in the fictional world of the text, but participate in and promote the development of the love tragedy of the protagonists. Through the examination of topographical level, this paper uncovers the underlying reasons behind the love tragedy in the novel. The topographical level become metaphors for societal norms, individual desires, and the conflict between tradition and personal freedom. In sum, this paper demonstrates that a topographical level enriches our understanding of the love tragedy within the novel, making it a crucial dimension of analysis for Wharton’s masterpiece. And it can provide some new ideas and perspectives for readers to understand the novel more deeply and also enrich the research of contemporary literary works from the topographical level.

Edith Wharton

love tragedy

The Age of Innocence

topographical level