Morality In Ethan Frome By Edith Wharton

In today’s society, people often find themselves making decisions based on two things: other people’s views and their own moral conscience. Some even let society control their future instead of following a precise path of their own. In Edith Wharton’s novel Ethan Frome, the main character’s wife, Zeena, is not attributed by a single positive thing. It’s obvious that Ethan feels no mental or physical connection with her whatsoever. His love interest Mattie, on the other hand is glowing with her youthful attractiveness. Ethan longs to be with Mattie, but his fate will ultimately be decided by the ones who surround him. Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton is therefore based on the moral and societal obstacles that can interfere with one’s desires. First, Ethan is entirely aware that it is frowned upon by society to have feelings

“As her young brown head detached itself against the patch-work cushion that habitually frame his wife’s gaunt countenance, Ethan had a momentary shock. It was almost as if the other face, the face of the superseded woman, had obliterated that of the intruder.” (Wharton Chapter 5). During his night alone with Mattie he can’t help but be reminded of his domestic duties as he sits in the kitchen. Ethan is excited to get a night with Mattie but can't control the feeling of Zeena being around. Zeena is present even though she’s nowhere near the others. It’s almost as if she’s watching Mattie and Ethan. “But suddenly his wife’s face, with twisted monstrous lineaments, thrust itself between him and goal, and he made an instinctive movement to brush it aside.” (Wharton Chapter 9). His wife’s image also causes the couple (Mattie and Ethan) to miss the tree straight on. Although Ethan’s conscience can distinguish right from wrong, he won’t commit to his true desires. He’s afraid of what the future will hold for himself and those who rely on