Mr. Henry van der Luyden Character Analysis in The Age of Innocence

Mr. van der Luyden and his wife, Mrs. Louisa van der Luyden, are two of the most powerful influences in society. However, they’re quite shy and prefer to remain in seclusion at Skuyterkill, their estate on the Hudson. Henry and his wife are very similar and always consult each other before making any decisions. They like Ellen and they help to bring her into society when other families are snubbing her.

Mr. Henry van der Luyden Character Timeline in The Age of Innocence

The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Henry van der Luyden appears in The Age of Innocence. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...at the top of this highest rank, and the only ones who are prominent are Mr. Henry van der Luyden and his wife. Mrs. van der Luyden was originally a Dagonet, and her family fought... (full context)

Mrs. van der Luyden listens silently to Mrs. Archer. Even if one knows that Mrs. van der Luyden is... (full context)

Mrs. van der Luyden never makes any decision without her husband’s input. She and he are so similar that... (full context)

Mr. Henry van der Luyden enters the room and greets the Archers. They discuss the most convenient time to read... (full context)

Mr. van der Luyden asks whether the situation is really Lawrence Lefferts’s fault, and Archer says he’s sure it... (full context)

Mr. van der Luyden is unhappy about the situation because society should accept the decision of a family to... (full context)

...had refused to meet her at Mrs. Mingott’s. The van der Luydens’ power is apparent. Mrs. van der Luyden tells Archer that it was good of him to speak so long with Ellen, but... (full context)

Mrs. Archer wants Archer to come with her to explain to Mrs. van der Luyden that Ellen is simply used to a different culture. However, Archer thinks it’s all the... (full context)

Suddenly the butler announces Mr. van der Luyden . Mrs. Archer quickly arranges herself before he enters, and Archer greets him, saying that... (full context)

Mr. van der Luyden goes on to say that he visited to warn Ellen about letting the Duke take... (full context)

Mrs. Archer says that Archer will be particularly thankful to Mr. van der Luyden because of his attachment to May’s family. Archer agrees, saying that he knew Mr. van... (full context)

...been renewed since he went to her house. He feels that someone who can charm Mr. van der Luyden so effectively doesn’t need his help. Recently May has seemed ever so wonderful and proper... (full context)

Beaufort is scoffing at the idea of Ellen spending three days at Skuytercliff, saying that Mrs. van der Luyden is a cold hostess. He’s disappointed that Ellen will miss the dinner with some artists... (full context)

...on him, and taking part in practical jokes. The next day, he drives to Skuytercliff. Mr. van der Luyden built the house in anticipation of his marriage, and it looks like an Italian villa.... (full context)

Archer learns that Ellen is at church with Mrs. van der Luyden . He declines the butler’s offer to seek out Mr. van der Luyden, choosing instead... (full context)

...houses never let anyone be alone. Walking past the small stone house, they realize that Mr. van der Luyden had it opened up because Ellen wanted to see it. No one will expect them... (full context)

...that there’s a water leak at the house where they were supposed to stay, and Mr. van der Luyden has prepared the stone house at Skuytercliff for them instead. Archer can only stare, but... (full context)

...she seems pale but overly animated. The group is talking about the Beaufort failure, and Mrs. van der Luyden asks May whether Mrs. Mingott’s carriage was really seen at the Beauforts’ house. Mrs. Archer... (full context)

...were very lax. Ellen’s foreign upbringing might have affected her sense of right and wrong. Mr. van der Luyden is still appalled at her actions. May says that Ellen surely meant to be kind,... (full context)

...doesn’t like being conspicuous. But suddenly he’s unaware of the demands of society. He enters Mrs. van der Luyden ’s box and asks May to come home because he has a headache. May excuses... (full context)

The fact that Mrs. van der Luyden is seated to her host’s left emphasizes the fact that Ellen is regarded as a... (full context)