'The Age of Innocence' in the Age of Modern Dating

"In Edith Wharton's 'The Age of Innocence,' we dive into a New York that feels like an old-school version of a 'Gossip Girl' episode, laced with today's battle of the sexes and the complexities of modern sexual politics. It’s a throwback to high society drama, where the unspoken rules and expectations reflect today's debates on sexual freedom and double standards.

The New York City of Wharton’s tale is the ultimate influencer stage, akin to a non-stop Met Gala, but beneath the 'gilded salons' and 'silken dresses' lies a simmering tension that mirrors today’s discourse on sexual freedom. The men in Wharton’s world, like many guys today, often hold traditional views on women’s sexual histories. They're searching for partners with 'low body counts,' yet they feel entitled to their own sexual explorations – a clear double standard.

Meanwhile, the women in the novel, much like many empowered women today, are starting to question and challenge these norms. They're grappling with the idea that they should have the same sexual liberties as men. This tension plays out subtly in Wharton’s narrative, as her characters navigate the societal pressures of their time – pressures that aren’t too different from the ones faced in modern dating and relationships.

Then there’s the Hamptons, serving as an Instagram-worthy retreat from the city’s intensity. It’s in these natural settings, away from the societal expectations of the city, where the characters confront the stark contrasts between public personas and private desires. The Hamptons is depicted as a space where the air is 'full of the salty savor of the sea' and the sky is 'so brilliant it makes the eyes ache.' Here, away from the city's judgmental eyes, characters find the freedom to explore and express aspects of themselves that society typically frowns upon.

The novel’s title, 'The Age of Innocence,' is an ironic nod to the veneer of propriety and restraint that masks the underlying societal hypocrisies – much like today's social media facade versus the reality of gender politics and sexual freedom.

In summary, Wharton's story is a nuanced reflection of the ongoing battles of the sexes, the double standards in sexual freedom, and the societal pressures to conform. It's a reminder that while we've come far in terms of gender equality and sexual liberation, the echoes of these 19th-century dilemmas are still very much present in today's world."