Ethan Frome Theme Essay
Ethan Frome
In the novel Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton, Ethan Frome marries a woman who he is not completely in love with. As life goes on, as a result, he falls in love with Mattie, Zeena’s cousin, when she comes to care for Zeena in her days of sickness. This was affected by three main themes in the novel. The first theme is isolation within oneself. Next, a theme from the novel is duty versus personal happiness. Finally, a theme from the novel is the surroundings and conditions of their location, and the effects these have on Ethan. Ethan Frome is a man troubled with the isolation with which he is encompassed in, the choice between duty and happiness, and the affects of the gloomy weather of Starkfield. First, Ethan Frome is a man who is isolated within himself. Growing up, Ethan’s mother fell sick and became a recluse who did not associate with anyone. This gave Ethan no one to talk to because his house was not located near town. His mom brought in Zeena to care for her while she was sick. Being acclimated to having no one to talk to, Ethan married Zeena on a whim when she was about to leave. This occurred because Ethan isolated himself from other women, so when the opportunity came around, Ethan married Zeena. Unfortunately, Zeena fell sick as well. This …show more content…
She knew that Mattie should take trips into town, so she would not become isolated herself. Zeena did not know, however, that this was the time that Ethan and Mattie had the opportunity to be their selves around each other and become closer. The weather of Starkfield is another factor in the novel. The snow made the treks into town difficult, so Ethan did not get off of his farm often. This caused him to stay at home with Zeena, who does not talk much, which caused him to fall in love with Mattie. The environment and the surroundings of the Frome’s farm would cause Ethan to be isolated, and it would ultimately force him to choose between duty to his family and personal
In the novel Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton, Ethan Frome marries a woman who he is not completely in love with. As life goes on, as a result, he falls in love with Mattie, Zeena’s cousin, when she comes to care for Zeena in her days of sickness. This was affected by three main themes in the novel. The first theme is isolation within oneself. Next, a theme from the novel is duty versus personal happiness. Finally, a theme from the novel is the surroundings and conditions of their location, and the effects these have on Ethan. Ethan Frome is a man troubled with the isolation with which he is encompassed in, the choice between duty and happiness, and the affects of the gloomy weather of Starkfield. First, Ethan Frome is a man who is isolated within himself. Growing up, Ethan’s mother fell sick and became a recluse who did not associate with anyone. This gave Ethan no one to talk to because his house was not located near town. His mom brought in Zeena to care for her while she was sick. Being acclimated to having no one to talk to, Ethan married Zeena on a whim when she was about to leave. This occurred because Ethan isolated himself from other women, so when the opportunity came around, Ethan married Zeena. Unfortunately, Zeena fell sick as well. This …show more content…
She knew that Mattie should take trips into town, so she would not become isolated herself. Zeena did not know, however, that this was the time that Ethan and Mattie had the opportunity to be their selves around each other and become closer. The weather of Starkfield is another factor in the novel. The snow made the treks into town difficult, so Ethan did not get off of his farm often. This caused him to stay at home with Zeena, who does not talk much, which caused him to fall in love with Mattie. The environment and the surroundings of the Frome’s farm would cause Ethan to be isolated, and it would ultimately force him to choose between duty to his family and personal