The Custom of the Country

The novel’s central character, Undine is an unsympathetic protagonist. She’s an ambitious social climber from the Midwest whose material desires and social inclinations drive her to manipulate the people around her. Undine uses her femininity to convince her father, and then a series of husbands, to give her what she wants. However, Undine’s insatiable desires define her character—nothing truly makes Undine happy. She’s a subversion of typical early 20th-century norms. Instead of striving for a demure family life, Undine annihilates any challenge that stands between her and her material dreams. She’s aggressive, manipulative, and lacks empathy. However, these subversive character traits are admirable given the strict society rules she faces. Thus, Undine is a complex character that embodies the tragicomedy of manners genre. She tragically ignores others’ feelings and well-being, including those of her own son. However, her constant need to have more is almost comical. Wharton uses Undine to explore the layers of female ambition versus conservative culture, the consequences of narcissism and greed, and the American capitalist tendency toward cruelty.