Salacious Desires In Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome
Salacious Desires Edith Wharton’s Ethan Frome, juxtaposes the treatment and attention Ethan directs to Zeena and Mattie. The different treatment between the two further reveals Ethan’s internal selfish thoughts to be with Mattie. As Ethan and Mattie have more interactions and time to themselves, “The grow of passion he had felt for her had melted into an aching tenderness” (Wharton 85). Ethan’s selfishness is the antagonist of Ethan and Zeena’s marriage, and it acts as a barrier to the struggle between his affection for Mattie and his existing relationship. Although Ethan’s selfish desires to be with Mattie are shameful, he stoops to beyond a level of inconceivable selfishness, and schemes to flee Starkfield in order to escape Zeena to forever
be with Mattie. Even though Ethan does not follow through with his plans because of Zeena’s inability to gain financial support from the farm, the notion to leave Zeena is still a possibility that is on his mind. Before Mattie’s departure from Starkfield, she suggests to commit suicide with Ethan by crashing into the elm tree. Without hesitation to Mattie’s suggestion of suicide, Ethan is physically first to take control of the sleigh and lead both of them to near death at the elm tree. Because of Ethan’s self-centered desires of life with Mattie, he prevents young Mattie from having a fulfilled life. It is also selfish of Ethan to leave Zeena who would become widowed from the suicide. Due to Ethan’s selfish wants and attempt at suicide, the Frome household roles become forever changed: Mattie left paralyzed, Ethan left with a broken back and a permanent hunch, and Zeena left to care for both of them for the rest of their lives.
be with Mattie. Even though Ethan does not follow through with his plans because of Zeena’s inability to gain financial support from the farm, the notion to leave Zeena is still a possibility that is on his mind. Before Mattie’s departure from Starkfield, she suggests to commit suicide with Ethan by crashing into the elm tree. Without hesitation to Mattie’s suggestion of suicide, Ethan is physically first to take control of the sleigh and lead both of them to near death at the elm tree. Because of Ethan’s self-centered desires of life with Mattie, he prevents young Mattie from having a fulfilled life. It is also selfish of Ethan to leave Zeena who would become widowed from the suicide. Due to Ethan’s selfish wants and attempt at suicide, the Frome household roles become forever changed: Mattie left paralyzed, Ethan left with a broken back and a permanent hunch, and Zeena left to care for both of them for the rest of their lives.