Myth and Religion in "The Duchess at Prayer"

Wharton often references both Greek mythology and Christian religion in her short stories. Drawing on her vast knowledge of both, she uses them tools to weave both implicit and explicit references into her own works. Awareness of these references has much the same effect as delving deeper into symbolic motifs: although it will not completely change the story's contents, it can add tantalizing texture to the reader's understanding of the text.