Edith Wharton's The Custom of the Country is praised for its incisive social commentary and compelling protagonist, Undine Spragg, whose ambition and moral ambiguity captivate readers. Critics commend Wharton's sharp prose and vivid portrayal of early 20th-century high society. However, some find the characters unsympathetic and the pacing uneven.

Readers who enjoy social commentary and character-driven narratives, akin to those in Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence or F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, will appreciate The Custom of the Country. Fans of literary explorations of American class and relationships will find this novel compelling.

The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton follows Undine Spragg, a Midwestern girl who moves to New York City with her family in pursuit of wealth and high society connections. Her engagement and marriage to Ralph Marvell initially grants her access to elite circles, but financial and personal challenges arise, leading Undine to manipulate and pursue multiple marriages to secure her desired lifestyle. The novel includes themes of tragicomedy, greed, ambition, societal progress, and gendered expectations. This novel depicts death by suicide.

- The Custom of the Country was serialized in Scribner's Magazine from 1913 to 1914 before being published in book form.
- Edith Wharton wrote The Custom of the Country during her time living in France, and the novel reflects her deep understanding of American social and cultural norms compared to European ones.
- The protagonist, Undine Spragg, is considered one of Wharton's most complex characters, illustrating the author's critical examination of social climbing and materialism.

**Undine Spragg**  
An ambitious social climber from the Midwest whose material desires drive her to manipulate those around her, including a series of husbands, as she pursues her dreams.

**Ralph Marvell**  
A descendant of a historic New York family, Ralph is an intellectual who falls for Undine and struggles with financial stresses and societal expectations.

**Elmer Moffatt**  
A self-made businessman with no significant family background who exemplifies American capitalist ingenuity and is driven by ambitious desires.

**Raymond de Chelles**  
A French aristocrat whose wealth helps preserve his family's history; he tries to treat Undine as an equal but struggles with cultural differences.

**Peter Van Degen**  
A member of New York's social elite known for his superficial and party-loving nature, who maintains his status through his family connections.

Edith Wharton

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Custom of the Country reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Custom of the Country | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Custom of the Country and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Custom of the Country Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-10

The Custom of the Country Chapters 1-10 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 11-20

The Custom of the Country Chapters 11-20 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 21-34

The Custom of the Country Chapters 21-34 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 35-46

The Custom of the Country Chapters 35-46 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Custom of the Country Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Custom of the Country Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Custom of the Country Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Custom of the Country Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Custom of the Country Essay Topics

The Custom of the Country

Before You Read

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Custom of the Country?

Reading Age

Book Details