Ethan Frome Characterization

Ethan Frome, a book written by Edith Wharton, gives us clear images of the characters that have been introduced. While reading the book, the characters would open up and display their inner thoughts and emotions. The characters’ personalities and physical appearances greatly resemble the rugged yet mellow landscape of New England and this is what pulls the whole story together. The protagonist, Ethan Frome, has kept the same inner state throughout the book. He has been taking care of his family members for years, never getting a break and somehow surviving with the small income he receives. His inner state resembles the giant elm tree that the smashup was centered around. The elm tree is strong with a large unmovable base. In the book, the elm is mentioned everywhere, even when someone would least expect it. It

The physical state of Starkfield corresponds with her personality in the sense that both are cold and unwanted. In the novel, the narrator discusses Zeena and her physical appearance, but he leaves out her thoughts and reasons for her actions. She says and does mean things because she wants attention. For example she says, “No. I just felt so mean I couldn’t sleep.” which most likely means that she was so mad at something that she could not sleep. All of her thoughts and actions are like the biting winter in Starkfield. After Harmon Gow said, “Guess he’s been in Starkfield too many winters. Most of the smart ones get away.” and the engineer asked why, Harmon replied, “Somebody had to stay and care for the folks. There warn’t ever anybody but Ethan. Fust his father—then his mother—then his wife.” Winter is the obstacle that has been holding him back from success, but if the winter and Zeena are so much alike then it is actually Zeena keeping him from moving away. In a way, Zeena is like a ball and chain clasped on the ankle of Ethan. As a result, it defines her cold, bitter inner