Edith Wharton's life was deeply influenced by her background as a member of a wealthy New York City family and her experiences within high society. Living in a privileged environment exposed her to the strict social codes and expectations that governed the lives of the upper class. Wharton’s struggles with gender norms and the limitations placed on women of her era fueled her critique of societal values in works like *The Age of Innocence*. Her firsthand observations of wealth, status, and the hypocrisy within society deeply shaped her literary voice and themes.