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If they gave a party in honour of the Countess, how could anyone turn them down? Certainly it would be bad taste and etiquette. Thus, it was agreed the Van der Luyden's would honor the Countess with a ball. Finally she felt she was accepted into society.
May Welland's character in equally interesting. In the book she seems to have a little bit more bearing on Newland Archer, whilst her movie character seems to come across as being weakly, almost pining. However, surprisingly, in both the screen and written versions, she also comes across a being shrew and manipulative.
It is interesting to note the lilies-of-the-valley that May carries in scenes throughout the movie (and book), which are sent to her on a daily basis by Archer. This technique reminds us of the secret language of flowers that existed in that day and age; one could send a colour or type of flower that could ever so silently signify refusal or acceptance of a lover's advances, even quietly express jealously. Archer started sending the lilies to May after a meeting with Olenska. The favoured lilies-of-the-valley suit May well, representing innocence, purity, and naivete. Archer also sends flowers, on an impulse, to the Countess. They are yellow roses, but not with a card enclosed. This event followed his seeing Olenska with another character, Julius Beaufort, and would seem to signify envy, jealousy.
Newland begins interceding on Olenska's behalf with regard to her husband, the Count, and their divorce. The Count no longer wants the proceeding. During the course of these events, Newland becomes aware of his feeling for the Countess, but he is still engaged to May. He is torn between not giving into hypocrisy and following convention. Newland's conflict continues even after his marriage to Welland. The passion between him and the Countess is great, yet stifled. It
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