Ethan Frome let his heart guide his mind. Zeena came into the life of Ethan Frome while caring for his ailing mother. She later became his bride and years later grew increasingly detached from him. He subsequently fell in love with her cousin Mattie, who had been called upon to relieve her of her wifely duties. Upon falling in love with her, his actions became more and more careless, as if not carefully considered. Zeena, after growing jealous, orders Mattie away and Ethan obeys. However, en route to the train station, Ethan and Mattie decide to go sledding and derail the sled into a tree, hoping to depart the world together. Ethan actions represent foolish tricks that the heart can play on a mind.
             Zeena Frome arrived in Starkfield to care for Ethan Frome's sick mother. Ethan, whose life had been plagued with "sickness and trouble", fell in love and married Zeena. Perhaps his fondness of Zeena grew from witnessing the "greatest hand at doctoring in the county" lay upon his sick and dying parent. However, she experienced her own health problems that came from nursing Ethan's mother for so long. Zeena allowed these problems to drive a wedge in the marriage she shared with Ethan. She eventually began a routine of closing herself in her bedroom, shutting Ethan out of her life ignoring her housekeeping duties. When Zeena requested that her cousin, Mattie Silver, come to live with them to assist her, Ethan obliges as her best interest are genuinely his concern.
             Mattie Silver arrives at the home of the Frome's to aid in the recuperation of Zeena. The love that grew between she and Ethan was purely accidental and not pre-meditated. It began as Ethan innocently accompanied Mattie home from her pleasure trips into town. Once this love grew, Ethan's heart began to control his actions. While Zeena was away, visiting a doctor, Mattie and Ethan broke a beloved pickle dish of hers. Ethan&ap...