Edith Wharton’s The Marne is a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of World War I in France. The protagonist, Troy Belknap, spends his summers in France and grows fond of its culture and people, only to see his ideals shattered by war. When his beloved tutor Gantier joins the army and France is invaded, Troy is overwhelmed by helplessness. As he witnesses the horrors of war firsthand, he transforms from a naive boy into a young man burdened with responsibility and loss. The novel delicately portrays themes of patriotism, disillusionment, and emotional maturity.
