Newland:

Newland seemed to be one of the more complex and least stereotypical characters in the film. He does
exhibit some male traits, however. He is not happy being with one person, he is concerned with what
certain people think of him, and he takes what he wants, when he wants it. These are exhibited by the
fact that although he is engaged to May, he feels the need to start a relationship with her cousin, the
married Countess, Ellen Olenska. He also keeps up his agreement to marry May, and maintain his image
and the sanctity of his word, although this is mostly due to Ellens insistence. He also exhibits these traits
when, despite Ellens protests, he continues to pursue a relationship with her. These same traits also
make him a less stereotypical character. He seemed to be less concerned with his status in society, and
his reputation, as illustrated by his pursuit of a woman who was already married and soon to be
divorced woman, who did not constrain to societys ideals of who he should marry. He also relied more
heavily than most men when it came to some of his decisions as well. Had he been thinking
pragmatically, he would have settled for marrying May, which he did do eventually, rather than offering
to leave May for Ellen and make himself happier.
May:
May is rather stereotypical for a woman of her time period. She is mostly characterized by her
relationships. Throughout the movie, it shows her as wanting to get married, although one less
stereotypical moment arose from this. Although she is engaged to Newland, when he wants to speed up
their wedding, she becomes suspicion. She believes that he only wants to get married sooner to avoid
old feelings for another woman, which he does. She almost refuses to marry someone that does not
love her, even though he eventually reassures her that he does, and he just wants to be married sooner,
with no ulterior motives. Her other prominent relationships are with her grandmother and her cousin.
This shows her commitment to her family and shows that she values such familial relationships. She is
also a very dependent character.
Ellen:
Ellen is a lot less stereotypical than May is. Unlike May, Ellen denies herself love, because it would not
be viewed positively by society since she is married, and Newland is engaged to her cousin. This is a
rather masculine thing for her to do, valuing societys opinions, over ones own happiness. She also is a
very independent character, who doesnt value others opinions, when these opinions are simply about
her. She is a smoker, she is initiating a divorce with a count, and she is often seen off doing things alone,
showing she also doesnt value relationships as much as most other women.