The Role Of Social Tragedy In Ethan Frome By Edith Wharton

In the novel Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton applied significant factors (Messages) to show how the tale of this novel is a social tragedy. Even thought (Though) this novel might seem to be a tale of personal tragedy, it is actually a tale of social tragedy. The main character of this novel, Ethan Frome, is always conflicting (with) against the society whenever he is trying to do what he desires. As a result, society affects Ethan Frome’s life in many ways; most of the time society leads him to the tragedy.
When Ethan was (is) young, he wants to leave the town to go to college. However, Ethan had to stay in the town with his sick mother. In addition, Ethan met Zeena when she came to his house to nurse his mother. After his mom passed away, Ethan

still wanted to leave the town. Unfortunately, he could not leave because Zeena, his wife, got sick. “When they married it was agreed that, as soon as he could straighten out the difficulties resulting from Mrs. Frome's long illness, they would sell the farm and saw-mill and try their luck in a large town… While he waited for them Ethan learned the impossibility of transplanting her. She chose to look down on Starkfield, but she could not have lived in a place which looked down on her. And within a year of their marriage she developed the "sickliness" which had since made her notable even in a community rich in pathological instances” (When they married it was agreed that, as soon as he could straighten out the difficulties resulting from Mrs. Frome's long illness, they would sell the farm and saw-mill and try their luck in a large town… While he waited for them Ethan learned the impossibility of transplanting her.) (Wharton 37). During Ethan Frome’s life, he could not leave the (delete) Stark field because of his family. His desire to go to the (delete) college and outside of the town was conflicting against the family issue (Obligation). Furthermore (delete), it leads to the social tragedy of Ethan Frome’s whole life.
Ethan was trying to escape Starkfield with Mattie but he could not because of Mrs. Hale. Mrs. Hale showed kindness towards Ethan and said, “"I only just heard from Mr. Hale 'bout Zeena's going over to Bettsbridge to see that new doctor. I'm real sorry she's feeling so bad again! I hope he thinks he can do something for her. I don't know anybody round here's had more sickness than Zeena. I always tell Mr. Hale I don't know what she'd 'a' done if she hadn't 'a' had you to look after her; and I used to say the same thing 'bout your mother. You've had an awful mean time, Ethan Frome"(Wharton 78). After Ethan met her, Ethan realized that Mrs. Hale is feeling sympathetic toward him. Therefore, He could not borrow money from her, and he could not escape the town with Mattie. He was caring more about a society issue than his personal desire.
The time period of this novel was late 1800s to early 1900s. Author, Edith Wharton, used the significant theme of social tragedy to show how people during that time had to suffer because of their society. From beginning to end, Ethan frome’s life was always conflicting against the social issues, and he chooses to obey and follow his society rather than following his desire. It is why this novel is a tale of social tragedy rather than a tale of personal tragedy.