Ethan Frome

“”Ethan Frome”” by Edith Wharton is a novella published in 1911, set in the fictional town of Starkfield, Massachusetts. The story is narrated by an unnamed visitor to Starkfield, who pieces together the tragic tale of Ethan Frome through various accounts from locals and his own observations. Ethan Frome is a struggling farmer burdened by the care of his hypochondriac and demanding wife, Zeena. Their marriage is joyless and marked by mutual resentment. The bleakness of Ethan’s life is compounded by the harsh New England winter. A glimmer of hope enters Ethan’s life when Zeena’s cousin, Mattie Silver, comes to live with them to help with household chores. Mattie is lively and warm, bringing a sense of brightness to Ethan’s otherwise dreary existence. Ethan and Mattie develop a deep emotional connection, and Ethan finds himself falling in love with her. However, Zeena grows suspicious of their relationship and decides to send Mattie away. Desperate and unable to bear the thought of losing Mattie, Ethan contemplates running away with her but realizes he lacks the means to support them both. In a final, desperate act, Ethan and Mattie decide to end their misery by sledding into a tree, intending to commit suicide together. The attempt fails, leaving Ethan severely injured and Mattie paralyzed. The story ends with a return to the present, where the narrator learns that Mattie now lives with the Fromes, her once bright and lively personality turned bitter and harsh by her injuries, while Ethan remains trapped in a life of misery and regret. “”Ethan Frome”” is a poignant exploration of the constraints of duty, the consequences of forbidden love, and the harsh realities of life in rural America. Wharton’s stark and vivid portrayal of the characters’ inner turmoil and the oppressive environment underscores the themes of isolation, entrapment, and unfulfilled dreams. —- ISBN: 9798325734427