Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

1057 Words3 Pages

Ethan Frome was an interesting book to read. It starts with detailed, engaging description and introductory development of setting and characters. Throughout the middle pages, the progression of plot to its eventual climax is a compelling story to follow. The resolution of the story possesses traits of tragedy and was rather surprising and cruel, but works to place a proverbial cherry upon the story. This ending clearly defines the message delivered by the story as a whole and is thus a powerful conclusion to an absorbing, fictional narration of a few days in Starkfield. To alter such an ending is to fundamentally change the meaning of the story. Consequently, if the controversial completion of the novel conveys Wharton’s intended theme, which one would assume it does, it serves to augment and enhance the story. The reviewer’s opinion that the “exaggerated terror” of Wharton’s ending ruins the entire novel seems completely incorrect. Several passages throughout the story serve to foreshadow such an ending, and the “great tragedy,” which the reviewer expected, would detract from the power of the book by lumping it with numerous other works of similar plot. Overall, Ethan Frome’s close makes sense within the context of the story, assists the transfer of the theme to the reader, and sets the novel apart from others.
While reading the novel for the first time, the ending comes as a shock to the reader. However, there exists several passages interspersed throughout the pages that serve to foreshadow the unfortunate ending. One such scenario appears when Ethan encounters his wife at the door and Zeena’s appearance is described (page 34), and later, Mattie, not Zeena, stands at the same door, holding the same lamp, ...

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...ginal, and more aggressively tragic finish to her novel, which differentiates it from many others preceding it.
The conclusion of Ethan Frome may seem unnecessarily sad to some, and these people may consequently not enjoy it and would prefer something different. Wharton’s decision to write the conclusion as she did, however, in no way “mars” her work to me, nor do I think it should to anyone. Contextual clues within the story hint at such an ending, so it makes sense to the story, the intended meaning of the story is achieved via the resolution, and the novel is far more unique than other love stories because of its conclusion. It not only belongs in this novel, but it enhances the story. The reviewer was correct in saying “We do not cover the eyes at the spectacle of a really great tragedy,” and at Ethan Frome, we keep the eyes open and unobstructed.

Ethan Frome And The House Of Mirth, By Edith Wharton
920 Words | 2 Pages
Wharton’s parents raised her in aristocratic society. Her father, George supported the family working in real estate, while her mother Lucerita was a stay at home mom. Her mother was devoted to high society, and was unsupportive of her interests in writing. (Todd and Wetzel) Unlike her mother, Morton Fullerton supported Wharton. While in England, Wharton met Fullerton. As their relationship progressed, she became close friends with Katharine Fullerton. Katharine was Morton’s orphaned sister, that his family took in. (Witkosky) While Wharton was in England her husband was seeking “cures” for his depression. As portrayed in the novel, Ethan Frome’s wife Zeena was constantly seeking cures for her illness. Like Teddy, Zeena was isolated from society and kept to herself. Ethan’s wife was devoted to high society because she came from an aristocratic home. Therefore, Zeena never supported Ethan’s interest in becoming an engineer. Wharton’s mother was alike to Zeena when it came to how her life was lived. Ethan’s lover, Mattie Silver, was taken in by the Frome’s in the novel. She had no family who wanted her just like Katharine Fullerton. Mattie was raised by the Frome’s in a society she did not know how to adapt to because she was never taught how. “Mattie is attempting unsuccessfully to fit in a society she does not understand.”
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Symbolism Of Isolation In Ethan Frome, By Edith Wharton
1032 Words | 3 Pages
Ethan Frome, a novella written by Edith Wharton, communicates a story of Ethan and his life living with his ill wife, Zeena, when a new lover comes into his home. Ethan and Zeena live in a place called Starkfield, a cold and lonely location situated in the New England area. Mattie comes into Ethan’s life to help her cousin, Zeena, around the house as her sickness has obstructed her ability to do housework. This causes problems for Ethan because he starts to fall in love with Mattie as she stays with the Fromes. The isolation of Starkfield prevents Ethan from living his life the way he wanted to. That causes Ethan to abandon his dreams of college and moving away from Starkfield. Ethan becomes hindered by the isolation of Starkfield because of
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Ethan Frome
612 Words | 2 Pages
Throughout “Ethan Frome,” Edith Wharton renders the idea that freedom is just out of reach from the protagonist, Ethan Frome. The presence of a doomed love affair and an unforgiving love triangle forces Ethan to choose between his duty and his personal desire. Wharton’s use of archetypes in the novella emphasizes how Ethan will make choices that will ultimately lead to his downfall. In Edith Wharton’s, “Ethan Frome.” Ethan is wedged between his duty as a husband and his desire for happiness; however, rather than choosing one or the other, Ethan’s indecisiveness makes not only himself, but Mattie and Zeena miserable.
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Personality In Ethan Frome
858 Words | 2 Pages
The book says, “His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl 's inefficiency(Wharton, chpt 1).” This means Zeena knew about the love affair. Because Ethan and Zeena did not honestly love each other, the affair did not bother Zeena. Eventually, though, Zeena wants to force Mattie to go back home. Ethan and Mattie are extremely devastated by this. Ethan is not in love with either girl, but cannot leave either one. What happened next was a sleigh riding accident. Ethan purposely drove a sled into a tree hoping to kill Mattie and himself. By doing this he could escape all his responsibilities. He would not be abandoning anyone technically. The immaturity in Ethan 's personality is shown through this event. The accident caused Ethan and Zeena to be obligated to care for Mattie for the rest of their lives. Because the accident was intentional Ethan should be held accountable for it. He was supposed to be a mature adult who made the right decisions. He failed at this. Ethan should have been put in jail for this mishap. Moreover, Mattie did die that day because her liveliness
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Trapped in Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
911 Words | 2 Pages
Many people oppose society due to the surroundings that they face and the obstacles that they encounter. Set in the bleak winter landscape of New England, Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton is the story of a poor, lonely man, his wife Zeena, and her cousin Mattie Silver. Ethan the protagonist in this novel, faces many challenges and fights to be with the one he really loves. Frome was trapped from the beginning ever since Mattie Silver came to live with him and his wife. He soon came to fall in love with her, and out of love with his own wife. He was basically trapped in the instances of his life, society’s affect on the relationship, love, poverty, illness, disability, and life.
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Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
729 Words | 2 Pages
In the novel light was an important motif. When light was shed on Zeena it “…drew out of the darkness her puckered throat… and deepened fantastically the hollows and prominences of her high-boned face under its ring of crimping pins”. The author used light in order to emphasize Zeena’s austere and worn face illustrating her cold personality. When light was shed on Mattie it “…drew out with the same distinctness her slim young throat and… it threw a lustrous fleck on her lips, edged her eyes with velvet shade, and laid a milky whiteness above the black curve of her brows”. Mattie looked radiant and full of beauty beneath the light under which Zeena had appeared hideous. It is clear that Mattie would appear more attractive to Ethan.
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Symbolism In Ethan Frome
1506 Words | 4 Pages
Mattie and Zeena, the two leading women characters in this novel have many differences that set them apart from each other, but also similarities that grab the reader’s interest. When they both entered Ethan’s life, they were a breath of fresh air that broke the silence in Ethan’s life. However, the crisp air that Mattie brought was prolonged and when Ethan began falling into a pit of silence again, she was there to get him to speak his mind and let out his emotions. She tried to have a positive outlook on life and to try new things to benefit her and others around her. Mattie was more outgoing and spontaneous opposed to Zeena. While Mattie was out and about in the town, Zeena was home all day. Zeena was bitter and controlling towards Ethan and everyone else in her life. Regardless, they were both willing to help when push came to shove. "Zeena 's done for Mattie, and done for Ethan, as good as she could. It was a miracle, considering how sick she was – but she seemed to be raised right up just when the call came to her. Not as she 's ever given up doctoring, and she 's had sick spells right along; but she 's had the strength given her to care for those two for over twenty years, and before the accident came she thought she couldn 't even care for herself” (Wharton 23). So despite of Zeena being cruel and pessimistic most of the time, she was willing to return the favor of kindness and
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The Complex and Effective Structure of Ethan Frome
865 Words | 2 Pages
Although when we are young, we commonly find ourselves gravitating to books with predictable endings that leave the protagonist and us with what we want, as we mature we develop a hunger for different, more thoughtful or realistic solutions. This is not to say, however, that we can be satisfied solely through the reading of any story that concludes with mere tragedy. The reason why the book Ethan Frome is so widely read is because there is a great deal of technique behind the element of mere tragedy. Edith Wharton is able to distinguish her novel through the use of irony. Irony has been the defining element of many great pieces of literature throughout time. The use of irony dates back all the way to ancient Greece when it was used by Sophocles in the play Oedipus Rex. Irony was also a key element in many of Shakespeare's works and appears in many famous short stories. In Ethan Frome, Ethan ends up falling in love with Mattie who at the time seems young and effervescent in comparison to his sickly, deteriorating wife. In attempting to free himself and Mattie from his commitment to Zeena, Ethan ends up causing Mattie to become paralyzed, taking with it her previous, lively characteristics. All the household responsibilities then fall into the hands of Zeena who is ultimately the most vivacious of the three.
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Literary Analysis Of Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome
1832 Words | 4 Pages
He was trapped, due to the mental illness of his wife Zeena. The winter conditions portray this. Zeena’s bitter attitude can be comparable to the harsh cold conditions of winter. Due to her bitter attitude, she buries Ethan under her and traps him in Starkfield. Throughout the writing, Edith Wharton allows the reader to paint a mental picture in their heads while reading so they can dream on a little more and make comparisons. There are many different instances where the use of ellipsis were used throughout the writing. It always came at a point in the book where there was something going on but as Jean Blackall mentions, Edith Wharton allowed the reader to picture the possible outcome in their mind before continuing on with the story. “’If I’d ‘a’ listened to folks, you’d ‘a’ gone before now, and this wouldn’t ‘a’ happened,’ she said; and gathering up the bits of broken glass she went out of the room as if she carried a dead body…” (Wharton 52-53). This quote goes to show that Edith Wharton allows the reader to create their own possible outcome of what Zeena would go on to do. But, because of Zeena’s attitude, there are
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The Role Of Women In Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome
1845 Words | 4 Pages
Ethan Frome is the eponymous tale of a man who trapped in an unhappy life and marriage, chooses as his final attempt to escape from his difficult wife to commit suicide with his love interest.The suicide attempt fails entrapping him furthermore in his desolate with the additional pain of seeing his love paralyzed and finally turning into the woman he was trying to escape from. The story was written by Edith Wharton who experienced herself a sour marriage. While the role of women in Ethan Frome’s fate is definitely important it will only come second after firstly the juxtaposition between the life of the author and the protagonist.
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Zeena Quotes
567 Words | 2 Pages
“No, he didn’t. For I’d ‘a’ been ashamed to tell him that you grudged me the money to get back my health, when I lost it nursing your own mother” (Wharton 46). This section of the book fixed my perception of Zeena. As I began reading, I thought Zeena was simply an ill wife, with her hard-working husband. While Ethan battled his feelings for Mattie, I was angry.
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The Theme Of Isolation In Ethan Frome By Edith Wharton
2266 Words | 5 Pages
He is physically isolated from the world and is also cut off from the possibility of any relationship. Due to his new situation, he looks for an outlet in order to relieve himself from this isolation. Luckily enough for him, Mattie comes around in order to help Zeena out due to her illness. Wharton writes, “...the coming to his house of a bit hopeful young life was like the lighting of a fire under a cold heart” (Wharton 33). As Smith recognizes in this comparison, he says that “His (Ethan) life of isolation changes, however, when Mattie Silver comes to stay with him and his wife” (Smith 96). Smith correctly analyzes Ethan’s situation, labeling Mattie as this outlet of hope that he can turn to in order to cope with his isolation. Wharton herself shows that Ethan truly did view Mattie as his outlet for hope, mainly due to his love for her, which Mattie shares equally for him. This love sprouts from many things including attractiveness, conversation, understanding, and listening, many of which he lacks for his whole life and where most of his isolation roots itself. Wharton writes, “She had an eye to see and an ear to hear: he could show her things and tell her things, and taste the bliss of feeling that all he imparted left long reverberations and echoes he could wake at will” (Wharton 28). This is a fancy way of saying that they Mattie not only listened to Ethan, but also
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An Analysis of The Little Convent Girl
736 Words | 2 Pages
...it up to each reader to draw their own conclusions and search their own feelings. At the false climax, the reader was surprised to learn that the quite, well-liked, polite, little convent girl was colored. Now the reader had to evaluate how the forces within their society might have driven such an innocent to commit suicide.
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A Psychological Criticism In Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome
1794 Words | 4 Pages
She becomes suspicious, noticing every little detail that Ethan does. Panicking, she figures out a way to save both of their relationship, by faking her illness to the next level and firing Mattie in order to get another maid. When Zeena developed her ‘sickliness,’ she “fell silent” (Wharton 39), because Ethan “never listened” (Wharton 39). Up to the point until Mattie came to live with them, she started to say more than she has ever said. She started to break her silence slowly because of her jealousy. “She grumble[s] increasingly over the house-work” (Wharton 18) and remarks that he’s “always late, [because he] shave[s] every morning” (Wharton 19). Zeena also “found oblique ways of attracting attention to [Mattie’s] inefficiency” (Wharton 18). Zeena, at this point of time in the novel, notices the strong connection that Ethan and Mattie have developed for each other. After Zeena speculates those things and tells Ethan, her “thrusts frightened him” (Wharton 19). He had “assumed that [Zeena] would not notice any change[s] in his appearance” (Wharton 20). Ethan is blind to Zeena’s perception. He seems to think the things that he has done with Mattie does not betray or deceive Zeena. He is ignorant of what is going around him. Despite Zeena’s ‘thrusts’ he doesn’t think anything of it. He continues his secretive relationship with Mattie, while Zeena notices his changes
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Impulsive Decisions: A Study of Relationships in Wharton's Novel
698 Words | 2 Pages
Zeena has finally decided to replace Mattie with a new female help. We all know it is because she either knows of, or is suspicious of Ethan and Mattie’s relationship. This causes Ethan to react impulsively and even plan to run away with Mattie. He writes a letter to Zeena telling her he is leaving, but stops when some obstacles get in his way. He does not like the idea of starting over without any money, and does not want to leave Zeena in a bad situation. So instead he forgets about
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Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

Ethan Frome And The House Of Mirth, By Edith Wharton

Symbolism Of Isolation In Ethan Frome, By Edith Wharton

Ethan Frome

Personality In Ethan Frome

Trapped in Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton