The Age of Innocence Lesson Plan

Social Mores and Customs

Kind of Activity:

Individual Writing

Objective:

Students will identify social mores in the novel and articulate similar rules and expectations in their own cultures.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.1

Structure:

The Age of Innocence is filled with details about the social mores that govern New York life: for example, Newland arrives late to the opera since it is "the thing" to do. Though Newland's society is particularly constrained by unspoken rules and expectations, all cultures have them to some degree.

First, have students identify discuss some of these mores that they find in this section of the book. Consider such...