The Importance Of Reality In Ethan Frome By Edith Wharton

In the novel, Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton, Ethan Frome conflicts with facing reality as opposed to obtaining a false dream. Ethan has to face that he cannot escape reality with his new founded love, Maddie. The love between Ethan and Mattie is forbidden, leaving him to try and obtain a false dream with her.
Reality when he realizes that he cannot leave his wife even if he does not love her. Ethan had married his wife out of debt which had caused them to be distant. "Then she too fell silent. Perhaps it was the inevitable effect of life on the farm, or perhaps, as she sometimes said, it was because Ethan ‘never listened.’” (42). To clarify, Ethan found nothing in common with his wife. Due to their lack of interest with each other, they had

He realizes after the attempted suicide that he had been living upon a false dream. In the book it states, “And what of Zeena’s fate? Farm and mill were mortgaged to the limit of their value, and even if she found a purchaser -in itself and unlikely chance-it was doubtful she could clear a thousand dollars on the sale” (74). Consequently, Ethan realizes he cannot leave Zeena because she would not be stable on her own, especially since she is sick. Once the incident happens, Ethan clearly sees that he cannot obtain his false dream and all characters significantly change once they realized their harsh realities. Mrs. Hale explains, “Mattie was, before the accident; I never knew a sweeter nature. But she’s suffered too much- that’s what I always say when folks tell me how she’s soured” (98). Nevertheless, the incident had cause Mattie to change personalities so drastically. For Zeena the incident had made her become anew once again. As stated, “...Zeena, she was always cranky. Not but what she bears with Mattie wonderful- I’ve seen that myself. But sometimes the two of them get going at each other...”(98).To explain, once Ethan had seen the change of Zeena and Mattie, he had accepted where his life had lied. Ethan suffers knowing that he would never be able to run away and be happy with Mattie, especially after she had changed so drastically. Furthermore, Ethan realized that it would be exceptionally wrong to leave the woman who had changed in an act to take care of him for the woman he really loved. Zeena had dedicated her life to making sure the two were brought up anew, and in exchange, Ethan realized that his life was to be her husband and provide for her in whatever way she deems necessary, even if they do not love each