Edith Wharton's career was shaped by various circumstances, including her privileged upbringing, which offered her access to education and cultural resources. However, her struggles as a woman in a patriarchal society often led to feelings of isolation. Her experiences traveling through Europe and her acute observations of society influenced her writing, leading her to critique the upper class in works like The Age of Innocence. After facing personal challenges, including divorce, she channeled her experiences into her literature, ultimately becoming a voice for women's issues and societal constraints.