Edith Wharton’s A Motor-Flight through France and the Aesthetics of Wonder

Edith Wharton’s response to Amiens Cathedral exemplifies the 'aesthetics of wonder,' where Cartesian wonder drives intellectual engagement with art, blending emotion and sensation without compromising analytical depth. This study analyzes Wharton’s account in A Motor-Flight through France, demonstrating how her approach—rooted in wonder—mirrors Philip Fisher’s theoretical framework while also drawing parallels to John Addington Symonds’ ideas. The research highlights the dynamic interplay between specialist knowledge and emotional resonance, offering a nuanced lens for interpreting Wharton’s aesthetic responses across other French cathedrals, including Bourges, Beauvais, and Rheims.

Stack, A. (2025). Edith Wharton’s A Motor-Flight through France and the Aesthetics of Wonder. Edith Wharton Review, 41(2), 107–128. https://doi.org/10.5325/editwharrevi.41.2.0107