The Custom of the Country

Undine Spragg, a Midwestern girl with insatiable social ambitions, navigates the complexities of New York high society and beyond in her quest for wealth and prestige. Her narcissism and relentless pursuit of luxury drive her from the fringes of trade wealth to the heights of European aristocracy, impacting her family and relationships along the way. Through Undine's journey, Wharton offers a sharp critique of early 20th-century upper-class social behavior and examines the evolving role of women in a changing society.