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Ethan frome character analysis essay
Ethan frome character analysis essay
Ethan frome character analysis essay
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Mattie, Zeena and Ethan were all responsible for their own actions which resulted in them getting what they deserved. Ethan Frome was a young, 28 year old man, who lived in Starkfield, Massachusetts and was married to Zenobia Frome. Zeena helped care for Ethan’s mother when she was dying, which is how they got to know each other. After the death of his mother, Ethan began
Winter was a hardening season, and toughened anyone who lived there. An elderly man declares Ethan has “..been in Starkfield too many winters (Wharton 2),” for he is a tough man that seems to belligerently fight through anything that tests his endurance. Zeena nurses his mother as she was dying, Zeena falling ill after they got married, his true lover Mattie always just out of his reach, not enough money to live a comfortable life, and the crash in which him and Mattie were forever torn apart; proving that even if they could find a way to be together they would be torn away in the end.
Ethan thinks his actions through and realizes the guilt he would have if he left Zeena in Starkfield with the farm, in
This is shown in the novel because constantly Ethan faces this struggle. He will never be able to get rid of his wife Zeena and he will never have a happy ending with
At the beginning of the book, the narrator mistakes Ethan for an old man describing him as bleak and withdrawn from society, “and he was so stiffened and grizzled that I took him for an old man.” (4) Like the winter season that often blankets Starkfield and impedes Ethan’s ability to get around, Ethan’s life is also encumbered by his family obligations. “Somebody had to stay and care for the folks. There wasn’t ever anybody but Ethan.” (6) Like a bitter cold, endless winter, Ethan has always been burdened by caring for physically and mentally ill family members.
The quote also gives the idea that it is grim in Starkfield but the color red, representing desire, showed more than just a plain town. Overall, the significance that the gravestone of Ethan Frome and Endurance his wife took, related to the novel's theme of fate greatly. This moment in the story was not the only sign that changed his view on his marriage and living in Starkfield, but the pickle jar and the color red too. Ethan was shook and knew he did not want his future to end up living the same life in Starkfield after seeing the gravestone.
"It was along time since any one had spoken to him as kindly as Mrs. Hale. Most people were either indifferent to his troubles, or disposed to think it natural that a young fellow of his age should have carried without repining the burden of three crippled lives. But Mrs. Hale had said 'You've had an awful mean time, Ethan Frome,' and he felt less alone with his misery." Mrs. Hale's comment showed all Frome wanted was to be understood and included but his fear of what the towns people thought of him prevented him from even trying to take part in any of the town activities and just hiding nearby until Mattie was done. The characterization of Mrs. Hale and Slim showed that all the main characters wanted was to be accepted but their own actions portrayed their lack of trust of
Ethan’s bad choices of leaving school, feeling lonely and marrying Zeena and then also being avoidant when he wants to leave her. Obviously, Ethan Frome’s tragedy is all caused by his personal decisions. One of many ignorant choices Ethan makes is when his mother gets ill, somewhere in the beginning of the story. During this time, Ethan dropped out of college.
When Ethan was young, he showed potential and was on the path of escaping life in Starkfield. However, he seemed to always be thwarted by his circumstance. Ethan had good reason to leave behind his studies as an engineer at
" As soon as the words were spoken he regretted them, not only because they were untrue- there being no prospect of his receiving cash payment from Hale- but also because he knew from experience the imprudence of letting Zeena think he was in funds on the eve of one of her therapeutic excursions,” (Chapter 3). The environmental struggles in Ethan Frome affect his relationships with people. Ethan Frome experiences hardships in his marriage with Zeena as a result of his own economic struggles. Economic struggles also come up in Outcasts of Poker Flats when John Oakhurst, the Duchess, Mother Shipton, and Uncle Billy get
“Guess he’s been in Starkfield for too many winters” (6). Harmon Gow, who drove the narrator, had known the Frome family for a long time and had said this based upon Frome’s gloomy appearance. This story takes place in Starkfield, Massachusetts, where winter symbolizes loneliness and bitterness, which is what Ethan Frome's life is a symbol of. The sole reason that Frome married Zeena is that he would not be alone when his mother died in the winter; however, all Zeena brought to him was more bitterness and loneliness. “He was a prisoner for life, and now his one ray of light was to be extinguished” (117).
Melissa Palacios English 3A Feb. 21 2017 The novel Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton is about a tragic hero, Ethan who is not in love with his wife, but another person named Mattie. An important symbol in this novel is a pickle dish. This dish symbolizes Ethan’s relationship with his wife. The pickle dish first appears in chapter 4 of the novel.
After undergoing months of physical therapy, Ethan returns to the farm to finish high school with Hannah. Later, things are not going well for Ethan, including his leg injury, his breakup with Hannah, and his parents divorce. Years after, Ethan goes off to college, and Bailey stays on the farm with only visits from Ethan on the holidays. Bailey gets older and his health worsens, he is weak and naps often. Ethan’s mom takes him to the vet and Bailey is put down
Both Zeena and Ethan have varying responses, however both showing some commitment to repair their union. In Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton utilizes a broken pickle dish, to represent the views of espousement, and the representation of their varied human actions. Ethan and Zeena Frome’s marriage represents a union based on obligation rather that love. Throughout the story, Ethan is a weak and submissive husband under the control of a domineering wife.
