Ethan Frome

“”Ethan Frome”” by Edith Wharton is a tragic novel set in the fictional town of Starkfield, Massachusetts. The story is narrated by an unnamed visitor who pieces together the life of Ethan Frome, a local farmer trapped in a loveless marriage to his sickly wife, Zeena. The arrival of Zeena’s young cousin, Mattie Silver, brings a brief period of happiness into Ethan’s bleak existence. As Ethan and Mattie’s feelings for each other grow, they are confronted with the harsh realities of their situation, leading to a dramatic and devastating climax. Wharton’s poignant narrative explores themes of desire, duty, and the oppressive forces of social and environmental constraints. Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was an American novelist, short story writer, and designer. Born into a wealthy family in New York City, Wharton used her insider’s view of America’s privileged classes to create insightful and often critical works of fiction. She was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her novel “”The Age of Innocence”” in 1921. Wharton’s works are noted for their vivid characters, incisive social commentary, and exploration of the complexities of human relationships. —- ISBN: 9798325937262