Ethan Frome Essays Writing Workshop Period 2 Monday, December 6, 2010

Examples Each slide features an example from a student in this class. Let’s identify what we like about each example. Let’s provide constructive criticism about what can be improved in each example. Let’s check out my suggested revisions as we prepare to make our own revisions.

Today’s Focus Areas Properly integrating quotes Using third person (instead of first) Formalizing diction Solid introductory paragraphs Solidly crafted sentences Passive voice => Active voice

Properly Integrating Quotes Down the hill they went, prepared to die together in the name of love. “It’s wanting for us: it seems to know. But suddenly his wife’s face, with twisted monstrous lineaments, thrust itself between him and his goal, and he made an instinctive movement to brush it aside.” (pg. 1220).

Properly Integrating Quotes Down the hill they went, prepared to die together in the name of love. But as Ethan and Mattie approach the tree, a vision of Zeena propels him to a moment of indecision: “But suddenly his wife’s face, with twisted monstrous lineaments, thrust itself between him and his goal, and he made an instinctive movement to brush it aside” (Wharton 120).

Properly Integrating Quotes Ethan yearns to escape Starkfield. When he was younger, he hoped to leave his family farm and work as an engineer in a large town. Can we find a quote (perhaps in chapter 4) to support this? Then we can end the above independent clause with a colon, and follow it with the quote.

Using Third Person (instead of First) Considering Ethan represents her, Edith Wharton wants us to feel sympathetic for Ethan. I think it worked. As Ethan Frome represents Edith Wharton, the author clearly strives for her readers to feel sympathy for Ethan. She is successful in this endeavor.

Using Third Person (Instead of First) The person in the story who I view as the sympathetic one is Zeena. Ethan’s wife Zeena is the most sympathetic character in the novel. OR… Ethan’s wife Zeena elicits the most sympathy in the novel.

Formalizing Diction Edith Wharton is supposed to be Ethan in this book. Wharton crafted Frome’s character to represent herself – and her role in her own dysfunctional marriage.

Solid Introductory Paragraph (1 of 2) Edith Wharton’s Modernist novella Ethan Frome depicts a narcissistic and rather unlikable character named Zeena. Zeena’s story begins after she married Ethan Frome and became severely sick. Zeena’s illness throughout the story incapacitates her and makes her completely dependent on her husband Ethan and her cousin Mattie.

Solid Introductory Paragraph (2 of 2) In the end of the novella, when Zeena has to care for Ethan and Mattie, her illness appears to have vanished, leading the reader to believe that her condition was nonexistent in the first place. Although Zeena has redeeming qualities, her illness is the focal point. The way she handles – and possibly exaggerates – her illness makes her appear petulant and, at some points, rather loathsome.

Solidly Crafted Sentences Although a wintry mood grips Ethan Frome from the beginning – even the name Starkfield conjures images of northern winters – the narrator appreciates the winter’s spare loveliness at first. However, he eventually realizes that Starkfield and its inhabitants spend much of each year in what amounts to a state of siege at the hands of the elements.

Solidly Crafted Sentences Edith Wharton’s Modernist novella, Ethan Frome, is a tragic paradox about human nature that forces the reader to think from start to finish.

Passive voice => Active voice In the novel Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton, the character of Zeena is portrayed as attention-seeking and controlling. In the novel Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton portrays Zeena’s character as attention- seeking and controlling.

Peer Revision Essay Rubric 5 Stations Goals Quote Goal: one per paragraph! Remember the quote sandwich! This is probably the area where we most need to work today. Don’t forget secondary source quotes.