According to Sophocles, "The greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves." In other words, desire, greed, pride, love, and hate, all of these emotions come from a human's mind that is the real cause of sorrows. A human's greatest enemy is itself. I agree with this quote, which also relates to a tragic novel, Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton.
             The author used many literary elements, such as symbolism and characterization to convey her message. For instance, Ethan Frome, the protagonist of the story, is a crippled, frail, and sad looking man whose unhappiness and weakness causes him to become a prisoner for life. Ethan goes through many circles of events. First, he confronts loneliness and marries Zeena, whom he does not love. Second, he takes care of sickly Zeena. Ethan then sees a little chance of happiness, which brings about Mattie, Zeena's Cousin who takes care of Zeena. Ethan falls in love with her. However, being an unlucky man, he watches his happiness escape him.
             Symbolism is also used throughout the book. For example, Wharton uses the pickle dish, and the cat as symbols to achieve deeper meaning. During Ethan and Mattie's meal, the cat breaks Zeena's pickle dish and then sits itself in Zeena's rocking chair. The broken pickle dish is used to represent Zeena's fractured relationship with Ethan. The cat symbolizes Zeena's invisible presence in the house. The cat tries to get their attention as it jumps out Zeena's chair making it rock. Even Ethan notices the connection. For example, in the novel, he thinks, "She'll be rocking in it herself this time to-morrow."
             Throughout the entire book there is an understanding that Ethan Frome is going through. There is only one question in his mind, whether to leave the Frome house and fulfill his dreams or stay to take over the family business, and take care of Zeena. Ethan is one lonely man to whom we would literal
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