Similarities Between Ethan Frome And Jay Gatsby
Mysticka Robinson
Mrs. English
English IIII/1B
August 14, 2013
The Thin Line between Ethan Frome and Jay Gatsby
The attempt to capture the American Dream is a theme in many novels, and that’s no exception to The Great Gatsby and Ethan Frome. Jay Gatsby and Ethan Frome weren’t different in many ways. They may have lived in different times but they lived the same. These two men wanted to acquire the American Dream through happiness, wealth, power, and desire but lived the same life of sadness, silence, and not too wealthy.
Jay Gatsby and Ethan Frome lived their lives in silence. In the Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby once had a love affair with a woman named Daisy. He was deeply in love with Daisy but there was one problem. Her social status
was way different then his. Daisy was more upper class and Jay was lower class. He became silent because he was upset because of the differences. He saw that he would be unable to marry Daisy. He moved away from her to acquire wealth, and then later buys a house just across the bay from Daisy. (find this part in book and put here) In Ethan Frome, Ethan lived in silence because he was unhappy. He was unhappy because he lost his first wife, and after he got married to Zenobia. Ethan thought Zeena was the love of his life. After being married to her for the last seven years, he became unhappy. Having to take care of her wasn’t his idea of happy. He became so saddened; he just stopped talking to a lot of people. He keeps to himself and though about what his life would’ve been if he didn’t get remarried or if he had money. He thought since he was so young, why was he so sad and poor. (find this part in book and put here) Carleton Noyes once said, “The human heart has ever dreamed of a fairer world than the one it knows.” (Find Citation) In other words this means that humans desire to want a better life. Even if their life presently is better than average, they always look for more. That is exactly what Jay Gatsby and Ethan Frome looked for. As they continued to look for a better life, they also looked for happiness.
Mattie Silver came to stay with the Frome’s to help out with the house, and taking care of Zeena. As the months went by, Ethan became close with Mattie. He started to develop feelings for her more and more. As he continued to grow feelings for Mattie, he started to question his love for Zeena.
Mrs. English
English IIII/1B
August 14, 2013
The Thin Line between Ethan Frome and Jay Gatsby
The attempt to capture the American Dream is a theme in many novels, and that’s no exception to The Great Gatsby and Ethan Frome. Jay Gatsby and Ethan Frome weren’t different in many ways. They may have lived in different times but they lived the same. These two men wanted to acquire the American Dream through happiness, wealth, power, and desire but lived the same life of sadness, silence, and not too wealthy.
Jay Gatsby and Ethan Frome lived their lives in silence. In the Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby once had a love affair with a woman named Daisy. He was deeply in love with Daisy but there was one problem. Her social status
was way different then his. Daisy was more upper class and Jay was lower class. He became silent because he was upset because of the differences. He saw that he would be unable to marry Daisy. He moved away from her to acquire wealth, and then later buys a house just across the bay from Daisy. (find this part in book and put here) In Ethan Frome, Ethan lived in silence because he was unhappy. He was unhappy because he lost his first wife, and after he got married to Zenobia. Ethan thought Zeena was the love of his life. After being married to her for the last seven years, he became unhappy. Having to take care of her wasn’t his idea of happy. He became so saddened; he just stopped talking to a lot of people. He keeps to himself and though about what his life would’ve been if he didn’t get remarried or if he had money. He thought since he was so young, why was he so sad and poor. (find this part in book and put here) Carleton Noyes once said, “The human heart has ever dreamed of a fairer world than the one it knows.” (Find Citation) In other words this means that humans desire to want a better life. Even if their life presently is better than average, they always look for more. That is exactly what Jay Gatsby and Ethan Frome looked for. As they continued to look for a better life, they also looked for happiness.
Mattie Silver came to stay with the Frome’s to help out with the house, and taking care of Zeena. As the months went by, Ethan became close with Mattie. He started to develop feelings for her more and more. As he continued to grow feelings for Mattie, he started to question his love for Zeena.