Ethan Frome Setting Analysis

Edith Wharton’s “Ethan Frome” is a classic of American literature, telling the story of a broken man, trapped forever in despair in a small fictitious New England town. For over a century since publishing the book for the first time, readers review and dissect it in a myriad of ways. For example, several red symbols throughout the story have many interpretations as to their true meanings. However, Wharton’s choice of location is what cements the story for all readers, as the imagery is what allows the reader to visualize the miserable scenery that Ethan must endure. Edith Wharton’s distinctive New England environment she created in and around Starkfield is what tragically entombs Ethan Frome in his world of misery.

Part of the makeup of a New England landscape is the cruel and bitter winters. The engineer establishes the mood of the scenery early on when he mentions the “deadness of the community” (Wharton). Wharton builds on this throughout the book, constantly keeping the image of a cold, snow-covered landscape in the reader’s mind. Even on the nicer winter days, with the snow glistening from

the sunlight, the narration at the beginning of the story says it made no difference to life in that part of the world. According to the engineer, the imagery was responsible for “retarding still more the sluggish pulse of Starkfield” (Wharton). Ethan Frome’s very existence appears to be interchangeable with the miserable winters. Explaining what a broken man Ethan was, Harmon Gow said Ethan had spent too many winters in Starkfield (Wharton).
Additionally, Ethan Frome’s farm and life are physically isolated from the rest of the world except for a lonely road that sees little traffic.

He spoke about it to the young engineer, explaining they were isolated since the railroad began service and the stagecoaches quit running, muttering, “We're kinder side-tracked here now” (Wharton). Horse or carriage usually carried people the two miles between the Frome farm and the village, unless Ethan was walking with Mattie to or from a dance. New England homes have a distinctive style identified by a unique “L” addition. Frome’s farmhouse was missing this “L” and was in horrible condition, as confirmed by the visiting engineer being rendered speechless when seeing it for the first time (Wharton). Wharton’s creation of this glum, run-down home for a majority of the setting adds even more misery to Frome’s

existence.
Likewise, Wharton uses several other visual cues and symbols to create her New England atmosphere for the story. By themselves, they may not necessarily be exclusive to New England. Combined, however, and they add even more to the imagery of the landscape she was drawing in the readers mind. The centerpiece of the climactic suicide run is the large elm tree. It is always waiting in the forefront like a dangerous entity, ready to inflict harm where it will, “thrust out a deadly elbow” (Wharton). Even when Zeena is out of town, leaving Ethan and Mattie alone together, Wharton introduces a cat to play the part of a spoiler, insinuating it is the watchful eye of Zeena. She also uses the cat to destroy a red pickle dish, which creates a massive amount of tension for the characters (Wharton).
One description of Ethan Frome’s life could be “a living hell”. He cannot seem to escape an existence that is as miserable as the weather in Starkfield. The cold, horrible winters and the dead New England landscape seem ingrained into Ethan’s soul. His isolated farm and dilapidated house add another layer of depression to his being. The large elm tree is always standing over Ethan, casting a long shadow over his life. In the end, however, Ethan Frome’s desires come to fruition; he gets to spend the rest of his life with Mattie.