Ethan Frome: A Tragedy A tragedy is defined as a drama detailing the downfall of a dignified character. By this definition the novella Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton is a tragedy in many ways than one. Ethan finds himself in the midst of “sickness and trouble”(prologue) due to his morally upright nature and refusal to leave his sick wife in Starkfield, Massachusetts. This leads to Ethan dictate his life by the needs of others, and not follow his heart for most of his life. Once Ethan finds the courage to follow his heart his whole dream crumbles leaving him in an even more dire situation.The novella includes the elements and structure of a tragedy such as hamartia, anagnorisis, and catastrophe that prove that this work of literature is a tragedy. …show more content…
Ethan is described as one of the “smart ones” and that “he was the most striking figure in Starkfield, though he was but the ruin of a man.” (10) before his “smash up”. The author’s descriptions show that Ethan once held great potential before his fall from grace due to his hamartia. When Ethan finds out that his true love, Mattie, is leaving the Frome household he comes up with a plan to divorce his wife, Zeena, and run away with Mattie out west. After considering this plan Ethan came to the conclusion that “ even if she were in better health, she could never carry such a burden alone” (86). This example shows how Ethan’s flaw is that he is too selfless to leave Zeena in such a terrible situation. Ethan’s high minded values led to his indecision which ultimately destroyed any chance for Ethan to live happily with Mattie, and leave their future in a more depressing …show more content…
“All the long misery of his baffled past, of his youth of failure, hardship and vain effort, rose up” (77) to take place in his cathartic moment with Mattie. Overwhelmed by his resentment of Zeena, love for Mattie, and the fear that this will be the last night she will be with him Ethan “caught her in his arms, and held her fast there” (78). This moment in the novella captures Ethan’s release of emotions when the possibility of losing the woman he loves becomes a reality. The situation forces Ethan to express his feelings directly to Mattie in a way that he was never able to before. Ethan and Mattie also have an moment that results in an anagnorisis which leads them to make a drastic decision. On their way to the train station, Ethan and Mattie decide to sled down the hill one last time before they part. The reality of their separation hits after their first run down the hill and Mattie is so determined to be with Ethan that she suggests that they sleigh “right into the big elm… so’t we’d never have to leave each other anymore.”(107). Ethan thinks about living in “the hated vision of the house he was going back to” (108) without Mattie and decided Mattie’s plan was the best course of action. This second release of emotion results in Ethan and Mattie’s anagnorisis that they would rather die than be