Ethan Frome

By Edith Wharton

“Ethan Frome” is a captivating novel by Edith Wharton that explores the tragic story of a man trapped in a loveless marriage. With masterful use of symbolism and imagery, Wharton paints a haunting portrait of the harsh New England winter as a metaphor for the protagonist’s bleak and oppressive existence. Through her skilled characterization and narrative structure, Wharton draws readers into Ethan’s tumultuous inner world and invites them to ponder the complexities of human desire and the consequences of societal expectations.

Themes 📚

1. Isolation: Throughout the novel, the characters experience a profound sense of loneliness and disconnection from the outside world. Ethan’s physical and emotional isolation on his farm, Zeena’s isolation in her illness, and Mattie’s isolation as an orphan all contribute to the pervasive feeling of loneliness that permeates the story.
2. Forbidden Love: The central conflict in the novel revolves around Ethan’s love for Mattie, who is his wife’s cousin. Their love is forbidden by the social norms of the time and the consequences of their actions are devastating.
3. Desire and Regret: The theme of desire is explored through Ethan’s longing for a life he cannot have, his desire for Mattie, and his desire to escape his current circumstances. Regret is also a prevalent theme, as Ethan looks back on his life and wonders what could have been.
4. Gender Roles and Expectations: The novel examines the rigid gender roles and expectations of the time, particularly for women. Zeena is portrayed as a victim of societal expectations, while Mattie struggles to find her place in a world that offers limited opportunities for women.
5. The Destructive Power of Silence: The characters in the novel often struggle to express themselves, leading to misunderstandings and missed opportunities. The power of silence to destroy relationships and create tension is a recurring theme.
6. The Power of Nature: The harsh landscape of rural New England plays a significant role in the novel, both as a backdrop for the story and as a force that shapes the characters’ lives. The natural world is portrayed as both beautiful and unforgiving, reflecting the complexities of human experience.

Use of Literary Devices ✍🏽

1. Foreshadowing: Wharton uses foreshadowing to hint at the tragic events that will unfold in the story, such as Ethan’s fatalistic attitude toward the sled ride he takes with Mattie.
2. Symbolism: Throughout the novel, various objects and settings are imbued with symbolic meaning, such as the broken pickle dish that represents the shattered relationship between Ethan and Zeena.
3. Irony: Wharton uses irony to underscore the bleakness of the characters’ lives and the futility of their efforts to escape their circumstances. For example, Ethan’s attempt to buy a train ticket to elope with Mattie is thwarted by a cruel twist of fate.
4. Imagery: The vivid imagery used throughout the novel creates a sense of place and atmosphere, from the cold, barren landscape of winter to the warm, cozy interior of the Frome home.
5. Flashback: The use of flashback allows Wharton to explore the characters’ past experiences and how they have shaped their present circumstances. Ethan’s memories of his time in Florida, for example, provide insight into his longing for a life beyond Starkfield.
6. Parallelism: The novel often employs parallelism to draw comparisons between characters and events. For example, the sledding accident that cripples Mattie parallels the injury that Ethan suffered in his youth.
7. Repetition: Certain phrases and images are repeated throughout the novel, creating a sense of rhythm and emphasis. The repetition of the phrase “the pickle dish” serves to highlight the importance of the object in the story.
8. Allusion: Wharton makes reference to other works of literature and historical events, such as the story of Pyramus and Thisbe, to add depth and complexity to the narrative.
9. Metaphor: The novel uses metaphor to convey complex emotions and ideas, such as Ethan’s sense of being trapped in a “dead and buried” life.
10. Personification: Wharton personifies the natural world, such as when she describes the snow as a “white imprisonment” that reflects the characters’ feelings of isolation and confinement.

Examples of Literary Devices 📋

1. Symbolism

Example	Explanation
The red pickle dish	The red pickle dish symbolizes the fragile state of Ethan and Zeena’s marriage. Its breaking signifies the destruction of their relationship.
The “L” shaped farmhouse	The “L” shaped farmhouse represents the confinement and limitations Ethan experiences in his life.
The sled	The sled symbolizes Ethan’s desire for escape and freedom from his unhappy life.

2. Foreshadowing

Example	Explanation
The introduction of the narrator	The narrator’s arrival in Starkfield foreshadows the story of Ethan Frome that will unfold.
Mattie’s red scarf	Mattie’s red scarf foreshadows the danger and passion that will disrupt Ethan’s life.
The sled accident	The sled accident is foreshadowed by earlier mentions of the dangerous hill and the sled.

3. Imagery

Example	Explanation
The desolate winter landscape	The imagery of the harsh winter landscape reinforces the bleakness and isolation of Ethan’s life.
The warm kitchen	The imagery of the warm kitchen contrasts with the cold environment and symbolizes the comfort and companionship that Mattie brings to Ethan.
The smash-up	The vivid imagery of the smash-up emphasizes the catastrophic consequences of Ethan’s and Mattie’s actions.

4. Flashbacks

Example	Explanation
The narrator’s interviews with townspeople	The narrator’s interviews with townspeople provide flashbacks that help to piece together the story of Ethan Frome.
Ethan’s memories of his past	Ethan’s memories of his past, such as his time in college, reveal his unfulfilled dreams and ambitions.
Ethan recalling his mother’s illness	Ethan recalling his mother’s illness provides insight into his initial relationship with Zeena.

5. Irony

Example	Explanation
The sled accident	The sled accident is ironic because Ethan and Mattie try to escape their unhappy lives, but their actions result in even greater suffering.
Zeena’s sudden competence	Zeena’s sudden competence in taking care of Mattie after the accident is ironic, as she previously claimed to be too ill to perform household duties.
Ethan’s desire for escape	Ethan’s desire for escape is ironic because his actions lead to further confinement in his unhappy life.

6. Simile

Example	Explanation
“The village lay under two feet of snow, with drifts at the windy corners like a stag at bay”	This simile describes the intensity of the snowfall and the struggle of the village against the elements.
“He seemed a part of the mute melancholy landscape, an incarnation of its frozen woe”	This simile connects Ethan to the desolate winter environment, emphasizing his isolation and despair.
“The way they were all mixed up together in the thin, cold air was like the powdering of an etching”	This simile conveys the delicate balance of the winter landscape, reflecting the precariousness of Ethan’s situation.

FAQs 💭