Ethan Frome

             Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome inspires many different thoughts on the way a person from a rural background lives. Although the beginning and end of the book are told from a narrator's point of view, most of the novel concerns Ethan Frome's actions and view on life. Ethan is by far the most round character in the novel, giving us access to most of his thoughts. Ethan is generally a sympathetic character, while his wife Zeena is very unsympathetic. Ethan lives a life of many struggles. Personal issues, lying, and decision making are among Ethan's problems.
             Ethan Frome dreams of escaping his dark lonely farm to live a life outside of Starkfield. Ethan also dreams and wishes that Mattie was his wife. For example the book states "Her wonder and his laughter ran together like spring rills in a thaw"(40). One dream comes true for Ethan, but the dream of leaving Starkfield does not. Ethan lives a somewhat boring life; he walks to the Post Office every day and lives what seems to be a dark unhappy continuing adventure. However Ethan does realize that he has a responsibility towards his wife and his farm. Ethan sees life in two different perspectives; life with Mattie and be happy, or live with Zeena and not be happy. He has trouble on how to decide and deal with this problem of his, because he has not lived a fantastic life.
             One of Ethan's downsides is lying. He tends to blurt things out and then regret what he has said. For example, the book says "As soon as the words were spoken he regretted them, not only because they were untrue...but also because he knew from experience the impudence of letting Zeena think he was in funds on the eve of one of her therapeutic excursions"(55). Because he lied he realizes that he will have to ask Hale for money, and he knows Hale will not pay. Meanwhile in Bettsbridge, Zeena will spend more then Ethan can afford. So as you can see
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Ethan Frome. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 10:57, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/78346.html