In life, we are faced with different circumstances and choices that can change our life depending on what the circumstances are and/or choices we make. Even though the setting of Ethan Frome is in the early 1900's, people can still relate to the circumstances and choices that Ethan faces in this novel. The author Edith Wharton does a superb job raising and answering the question of how Ethan became a broken man. This is a journey readers can relate with because many people are faced with similar circumstances and choices. As a result, the novel appeals to any reader with an open mind, especially those who have been faced with circumstances and choices like Ethan's.
             There are many circumstances surrounding the demise of Ethan Frome. First, is his father gets injured which results in him having to take care of the family business. Then his mother gets sick, which "His unfinished studies," forces him to stay home unable to return to school (Wharton 29). Like Ethan, there are many people in the world today that may have had to stop going to school because a parent took sick or ill, which forced them into a family business they were not really interested in pursuing. Some people may choose to call this a choice to enter into a family business instead of a circumstance; nevertheless, there are uncontrollable circumstances in Ethan's life that force him into the life he had. For example, just as he is trying to get away from Starkfield and get an education his father is a victim of a debilitating accident. Ethan believes in doing the right thing; therefore, he leaves school to help tend to his family. Then after his father dies his mother gets sick, and he is forced to stay on the farm longer. That's when Zeena enters into the picture to help Ethan care for his mother, thus causing Ethan to become dependent on Zeena. These are all circumstances that influenced Ethan's choices
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