Ethan Frome: An Overview Written by: Edith Wharton in 1910 while she was living in Paris. Written by: Edith Wharton in 1910 while she was living in Paris. Setting takes place in the late 18th century in Starkfield, Massachusetts. Setting takes place in the late 18th century in Starkfield, Massachusetts. Story line has a nice Romeo & Juliet parallel…with a twist or two. Story line has a nice Romeo & Juliet parallel…with a twist or two. A fine example of Tragic Romance… A fine example of Tragic Romance… Major conflict: focus on Ethan’s ongoing struggle with his conscience…how societal norms (and physical surroundings) can often be oppressive. Major conflict: focus on Ethan’s ongoing struggle with his conscience…how societal norms (and physical surroundings) can often be oppressive.

Symbolism, Themes, and such… Symbolism: Symbolism: –Mattie’s red scarf/ribbon What is the symbolism of the color RED? What is the symbolism of the color RED? How does this compare/contrast with Red Badge? How does this compare/contrast with Red Badge? We’ll later contrast this with the green light in Gatsby We’ll later contrast this with the green light in Gatsby – Zeena’s pickle dish…and cat How do the two of these compare and contrast? How do the two of these compare and contrast? – The sled run Are there multiple forms that “escape” can take? Are there multiple forms that “escape” can take?

Themes : Themes : – Society and its morality How/why does society impose limitations? How/why does society impose limitations? – Winter What effect does winter have on humans? What effect does winter have on humans? – Unrequited love & desire – The author’s use of Foreshadowing What clues does foreshadowing give the reader? What clues does foreshadowing give the reader? Why do you think the author uses this literary vehicle? Why do you think the author uses this literary vehicle?

Painting the stark, foreboding picture (p. 5): “That Frome farm was always ‘bout as bare’s a milk pan when the cat’s been round.” (p.5): “Sickness and trouble: that’s what Ethan’s had his plate full up with, ever since the very first helping.” (p.21): “Then he had a distinct sight of his wife lying in their bedroom asleep, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed.” (p.46): “I’m a great deal sicker than you think.” (p.50): “Ethan look at her with loathing. She was no longer the listless creature who had lived at his side in a state of sullen self-absorption, but a mysterious alien presence, an evil energy secreted from the long years of silent brooding…”

The sun breaks through the clouds… (p.3): “I began to see why Starkfield emerged from its six months’ siege like a starved garrison capitulating without quarter.” (p.14): “She had an eye to see and an ear to hear: he could show her things and tell her things, and taste the bliss of feeling that all he imparted left long reverberations and echoes he could wake at will. It was during their night walks back to the farm that he felt most intensely the sweetness of this communion.” (p.20): “The cry was a balm to his raw wound. The iron heavens seemed to melt and rain down sweetness.

(p.40): “The sudden heat of his tone made her colour mount again, not with a rush, but gradually, delicately like the reflection of a thought stealing slowly across her heart.” (p.63): “…and he laid his lips on her hair, which was soft yet springy, like certain mosses on warm slopes, and had the faint woody fragrance of fresh sawdust in the sun.”

Ethan’s Conflict (p.13): “…but not long afterward he had reached the point of wishing that Starkfield might give all its nights to revelry.” (p.16): “Of late, however, there had been no room in his thoughts for such vague apprehensions. Zeena herself, from an oppressive reality, had faded into an insubstantial shade. All his life was lived in the sight and sound of Mattie Silver, and he could no longer conceive of it being otherwise. (p.35): “The cat…backed into the pickle-dish, which fell to the floor with a crash.”

(p. 48): “It was the first scene of open anger in their sad seven years together.” (p.50): “You mean to tell her she’s got to go – at once? …Ethan looked at her with loathing.” (p.56): “Zeena, I’ve done all I could for you, and I don’t see it’s been any use…I’m going to try my luck West, and you can sell the farm and mill, and keep the money…” (p.57): There was no way out - none. He was a prisoner for life, and now his one ray of light was to be extinguished.”

And a resolution… (p. 59): “The passion of rebellion had broken out in him again…He had made up his mind to do something, but he did not know what it would be.” (p.61): “He was a poor man, the husband of a sickly woman, whom his desertion would leave alone and destitute…he turned and walked slowly back to the farm. (p.71): “Right into the big elm. You said you could. So ‘t we’d never have to leave each other any more.”

The Irony (p.76): “…but she’s had the strength given her to care for those two over twenty years, and before the accident came she thought she couldn’t even care for herself.”