A Proper Society

Waythorn was born to a privileged family during a time when inheriting wealth was the
only classy way to be rich. Inheriting family money was called having old money, and the
families with old money at the time this story was written struggled against accepting people
with new money. Varick is an example of new money, because he works for his fortune. Varick
built up his reputation in order to increase his wealth. In The Other Two by Edith Wharton,
Waythorn is fascinated by the contrast between Varick and himself, particularly in the differences
between their wealth and how it has affected their behavior.
The contrast between Waythorn and Varick emphasizes Waythorns self-consciousness
through his idealistic views on how a civil, respectable man should act. Waythorn consistently
notices how Varick is always the most self-possessed person in the room (512). It is necessary
for Varick to be self-assured, so that he can be more influential in business. He wasnt born to a
name that would insure people respect him, so he needs to depend on his work ethic to build up
his reputation. Waythorn was born to a good reputation, he only needs to worry about upholding
the family name. Waythorn struggles to exemplify propriety through an evolution of social
expectations, while being fascinated by Varick for being a part of those changes. Waythorn was
raised with old money, instilling in him traditional beliefs about family money. Varicks
determination to rise in business and have enough money to be comfortable is shown through his
respectability.
Waythorn was born to wealth and power, while Varick built up his own wealth and power
with his intelligence and hard work. At the time, the process of acquiring wealth instead of being
born to it was just being introduced. It was not only the fact that someone could acquire wealth
that was so foreign, it was simply that the behavior of some individuals who acquired wealth
very quickly offended others (Grote). The social system was used to depending on a strong
dominance of the few wealthy over the rest. To change that system was to change societal
behavior and expectations. Waythorn is fascinated by Varick, and part of that allure could have
been Varicks ability to move up in the class system and acquire his own wealth. Waythorn has
not had to work for what has been given him, he has only had to work to maintain it. The money,
career, house, even his wife, are all products of his upper class status. The only aspect of
Waythorns life that he has to work for is upholding the family name. The only way he could lose
his possessions is by losing his good reputation.
Waythorn works to maintain his reputation to show that he is worthy of his inherited
wealth and power, even though it was given to him instead of earned with hard labor. He is very
conscious of his actions, especially in public. Waythorn is conscious of his respectability under
scrutiny. With his recent marriage well known, Waythorn is aware that people are paying
attention to him and his interactions with Varick. Waythorn is uncomfortable doing business with
Varick so soon after marrying Varicks former wife, to the point of the two men talking in public
gives Waythorn a sudden vision of the picture he and Varick must present to an initiated eye
(502). This shows the importance placed on public behavior in this time period, and how it
reflects character and class. Waythorn feels pressure from society to be the perfect balance
between standoffish and friendly in this situation, and cant seem to fathom how Varick is
handling it with apparent effortlessness. The detail in which Waythorn observes Varick expresses
the importance he places in engrained civility. When it is natural, automatic behavior, it appears
to be more significant.

Despite his struggles to exude confidence, Waythorn sees civility as an attribute he can
consistently manage and did not wish to be outdone in civility (505). Waythorn may not be the
most dignified or confident individual, but being civil comes easier to him. Varick is consistently
the most self-possessed of the pair, and never appears to be self-conscious or embarrassed.
Waythorn holds onto civility as the one attribute he can excel at. This situation of working with
his wifes former husband is uncomfortable and awkward, but even if he doesnt know how to
handle it, Waythorn can at least manage to be polite. If nothing else, Waythorn has his proper
upbringing to lead his behavior in a way that reflects his status in society.
Waythorns status as an upper class man is his way of identifying himself as a proper,
dignified gentleman. Classes cause inequality in society and Marx believed individuals hold
their own personal power, which is in harmony with each other and nature, rather than wrestling
with it, which emphasizes Waythorns power in his civility (Krawford, page 4). Waythorn
determinedly acts the way he believes society demands of him, but he also has his own personal
version of what a gentleman is. His power lies in his ability to remain proper, even when he feels
insignificant. He has to remind himself what is expected of him, because the honorable thing to
do is follow through with those expectations. But he cannot make himself go against the beliefs
that seem to be in his very nature. He is a gentleman, not just because of the status he was born
to, but because that is who he is as a person.
Although Varick intimidates Waythorn, he does not have nearly as much wealth,
knowledge, or power; it is Varicks confidence and self-presence that causes Waythorn to hold
him in such high regard as a respectable man. Varick was easy without being undignified, and
Waythorn was conscious of cutting a much less impressive figure (505). Varick is seeking help
from Waythorn because he knows nothing about business and doesnt know what to do when
theres enough money to pay the bills, and Waythorn still sees himself as a poor comparison.
This is a perfect example of how irrational Waythorns self-consciousness is. Waythorn is a man
of wealth and good standing. But because Varick has a confident manner and is good with
people, Waythorn is fascinated by him. Varick has attributes that Waythorn does not, and that is
what makes him so interesting. Waythorn is intrigued by Varick and watches him with
fascination.
Waythorn was born to wealth and power, yet Varick has more self-presence, which he
uses to build up his reputation and influence. The investment was an alluring one, but required
negotiation, which he couldnt do without the help of Waythorn (Wharton). Varick is increasing
his amount of business deals he does and has to work with Waythorn, who is determinedly
gracious, in order to increase his wealth and security. The two men working together was the
polite thing to do. They could not just ignore each other simply because of a woman. They were
business men, and professionals. As a man interested in climbing the social ladder, Varick had to
learn and play by the rules just as much as Waythorn did. They were equally interested in doing
what society expected of them, and following polite protocol.
When this story was written, society was going through several changes in what was
considered polite and acceptable, and people then were a lot more respectful and considerate of
their fellowman's rights than they are today. (Harvey) Even then, the times were changing. What
was considered polite was not as clear as it had been. Waythorn clings to his ideal of propriety,
despite the vague rules of it. The basics, however, were still obvious to him in that day and age.
Most men, for instance, tended not to curse in front of women and children and were careful not
to engage in questionable activity in their own neighborhood. (Harvey). This standard of

expected behavior was still a huge influence in driving the way upper crust society behaved and
conducted themselves. But despite the basic understanding of propriety still being in place, there
was a conflict in society.
Waythorn is fascinated by Varicks confident, civil behavior and how everything he does
looks pleasant. As Waythorn is listening to Varick talk, he decides there is something pleasant
about his smile (505). Varick moves with an easy manner that Waythorn wishes he had, making
a simple smile admirable. Everything looks better when Varick is doing it, including eating.
Waythorn is watching Varick in a restaurant, looking on half enviously at the others leisurely
degustation of his meal (503). This shows how appealing confidence is to Waythorn,
particularly because Waythorn does not see himself as a confident man. Confidence seems to him
an attribute that highlights all other attributes and makes them more appealing. It causes a simple
gesture to appear more pleasant and assuring. Waythorns fascination with Varicks behavior
stems largely from Varicks ability to remain self-possessed in any situation and how his
confidence appeals to people.
The people born to inherited wealth were a tight knit group, and did not welcome the
change of having those entering their world with their earned wealth. Her world of old money
looked down on the newcomers and their ostentatious display of wealth. (Biography).
Whartons own family had been born to old money and she grew up surrounded by those who
practiced exclusive behavior and prejudice towards those who were not born to the same
privileges as they were. The upper class was not ready to give up a little bit of power that would
broaden the definition of those who were well off. They wanted to continue to remain a small
group, privileged by birth. Waythorn reflects Whartons perception of this change in society.
They were both the odd one out, accepting of those working their way into the system. There is a
certain admiration expressed from Waythorn to Varick, and the root of it lies in Varicks ability to
change his fortune.
Varicks ability to remain self-possessed no matter the circumstances is challenged at the
end of the story, giving Waythorn an example of how confidence can waver, even if there is
every attempt at civility. At one point when Waythorn briefly encounters Alices first husband in
his home, Varick happens to show up in need of assistance. Waythorn gets to witness Varick
becoming embarrassed and blushing with a flush which spread vividly (511). Despite the
awkwardness of the three men being in one anothers company all at once, the situation remains
determinedly civil. This portrays the level of respectability all three men have for societal
manners, even in private situations. When in a state of shock, all which is left to rely on is
protocol and proper behavior. Varick recovers first (512). Even though the most appealingly
confident man Waythorn knows is suppressing a blush, he proceeds to act natural. Waythorn
perceives the situation as shocking, then ridiculous to the point of being amusing. Acting in a
civil way is what helps Waythorn handle new experiences that may be uncomfortable.
Waythorn does not see himself as a confident man with an easy manner, which is what
makes those qualities so appealing to him. He views societal manners and expectations as a large
part of motivation behind his actions. Civility is his most prized attribute, something that he can
rely on when all else fails. Waythorn perceives Varick with an intense fascination. To him, Varick
is the image of respectability and poise. Varick unknowingly acts as Waythorns ideal of
manliness, just because of the way Varick holds himself. Waythorns attention to civility
expresses how much societal manners affect his behavior as he strives to become more selfpossessed.

Waythorn is a keen observer of a society struggling to change. He is an upper class

gentleman, attempting to adapt to the new expectations of societal behavior, while retaining his
propriety and respectability. His fascination with Varick stems from Varicks ability to climb the
social ladder and defy the social rules that had been in place not too long beforehand. The
conflict of society between old money and new money is subtle in Waythorns description of his
new married life, but it is still a strong element in the approval Waythorn has of these changes.
He never claims to approve of change, and he struggles to adapt, but the changes intrigue him in
a way that cannot only be Varick. Waythorn appears to be fascinated with Varick as a person, and
perhaps part of his fascination is Varicks confidence, but it is also the fact that Varick represents
the changes in society. Varick is a hard-working man who is working his way up the social
system, increasing his wealth and power through perseverance and smart business deals. He
stands for the shift in society that is making so many people uncomfortable. Waythorn has his
moments when he feels distinctly awkward and ill at ease. However, curiosity pulls him through
it and leads him to accept Varick, just as he accepts societal changes.

Works Cited
Crossman, Ashley. "An Overview of Conflict Theory." About.com Sociology. Sociology
Education, 2009. Web. 03 July 2014.
Grote, Jim. "Old Money vs. New Money." Old Money Vs. New Money. Financial Advisor,
1 May 2003. Web. 03 July 2014.
Harvey, James. "Everyday Life in America in the Early 1900s." 20th and 21st Century
US History. Humanities, 13 Mar. 2012. Web. 03 July 2014.

Krawford, Karyn. "Marx & Conflict Theory - Analysis of Power in

Society."Academia.edu. Academia, Aug. 2009. Web. 02 July 2014.
Wharton, Edith. The Other Two. 1904