In the book Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton uses selective word choice when
             creating her characters. It is evident that the descriptions of Mattie and of Zeena are a
             relevant part of the whole that creates the meaning of the story. Wharton manipulates
             one's feelings about the two characters with the character's actions, surroundings, and
             Through most of the book, Mattie is described by words with positive
             connotations. Her surroundings are almost always cheerful and warm. Her personality is
             positive and bright. Wharton does this to try and make the reader feel as Ethan does
             about her. When we first meet Mattie, she has "already wound a cherry-coloured
             'fascinator' about her head" (p. 23). This scarf conveys Mattie's vibrant energy and the
             readers first impression is one of a sweet and rosy young woman. Ethan's own feelings
             are used to impart the feeling of Mattie's overall goodness. For example, "He forgot what
             else he had meant to say and pressed her against him so closely that he seemed to feel her
             warmth in his veins" (p. 43). These words and feelings make the reader perceive a clear
             impression of Ethan's love for Mattie. Zeena is never described with such warmth and
             passion, but with dull, darkly connotative feelings and phrases.
             The reader's first encounter with Zeena gives the sense that she is a sick,
             lonesome woman. A few pages later, she is unfavorably pictured in her bed, "her high-
             boned face taking a grayish tinge from the whiteness of the pillow" (p. 28). These first
             impressions are aimed to make the reader feel that Zeena is a burden to Ethan, which
             contributes greatly to the meaning of the story. Later on, Ethan sees "A dead cucumber-
             vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the
             thought flashed through Ethan's brain: 'If it was there for Zeena-'" (p. 45). This negative
             sentence shows the powerful despair Ethan feel...