"Old age, calm, expanded, broad with the haughty breadth of the universe, old age flowing free with the delicious near-by freedom of death"

In this expressive quote, Edith Wharton captures the complex and multifaceted nature of old age, depicting it through abundant images and profound insight. She starts by comparing aging to a state of calmness and expansion, recommending a juxtaposition between the physical decrease generally associated with aging and a synchronised sense of growth and broadening of point of view. The use of the word "calm" implies a specific acceptance and tranquility that features the passage of time, a letting go of the uneasyness and uncertainty of youth.

Wharton further describes aging with "the haughty breadth of deep space", suggesting a splendour and self-respect that can be attained in the later phases of life. The term "haughty" can indicate a sense of pride and self-assuredness, an understanding that one's experiences, knowledge, and identity fill a special space in the cosmos. This description raises the concept of aging to a universal journey, deserving of respect and affection.

The phrase "old age flowing free" conveys a sense of liberation, contrasting the typical perception of old age as restricting. Wharton challenges this concept by recommending that there is liberty in acceptance and in the shedding of life's earlier concerns. She associates old age with "the tasty near-by flexibility of death", which can be interpreted as the release from the restraints of earthly presence. Death is frequently perceived as the ultimate freedom, a natural progression towards peace.

Wharton's representation eventually provides old age as a time of profound knowledge and liberation, connecting it to the vastness and connection of deep space. In doing so, she moves the story from one of decrease to among extensive liberty, encouraging a view of aging as a culmination of life's journey rather than its ending. The quote celebrates the distinct viewpoint that comes with age, embracing it as a powerful, universal experience marked by grace and knowledge.