Symbolism In Ethan Frome

Symbolism in literature has such a powerful impact on a book, and symbolism makes the audience find clues about what it might mean, and the different types of significances when reading. In the book, “Ethan Frome” there are many examples of symbolism. Symbolism in Ethan Frome is very impactful in this story because a symbol in this certain type of story can be referenced in so many ways. In different situations in the story the same type of symbolism keeps on appearing and shows the audience that it means different meaning each time. Most of the symbolism that appears throughout the book includes the color red, the pickle dish, and the weather believe it or not. To begin with, the first type of symbolism that can be seen in this book
Another use of symbolism can be the pickle dish and in the theme for this chapter can also be adultery. When Ethan and Mattie are alone Mattie decides to use a wedding dish from Ethan and Zeena wedding for the first time, and as a result it shatters. This can symbolism the marriage of Zeena, and Ethan because their marriage is falling apart since Mattie has come to live with them, and since Zeena got sick. In the text it states, “The cat, profiting by his unusual demonstration, tried to effect an unnoticed retreat, and in doing so backed into the pickle-dish, which fell to the floor with the class.” This clearly indicates that when the plate shatters completely, this a symbol because Ethan doesn’t feel anything for Zeena anymore, so what is the point of the marriage. The shattering of this plate overall is the marriage of them, and is a reference to the meaning of the marriage because what is the point of being married if there is no feelings between the spouses. The significance of this dish has more importance than any other dish because this specific pickle dish was a wedding gift from Zeena aunt that married the minister. This dish which was not supposed to be used but on this specific day, and with this specific cat the dish just accidently comes to “break.” This dish knows the future of the marriage, and can predict what will happen at the end of
Ethan Frome farm is a symbolism in the story because it also creates a plot in the story. Ethan Frome always wanted to escape Starkfield, and become an engineer but then his father died, and his mother became sick. Ethan’s goals has always been to leave the farm because he wanted to make something out of himself, but he never did successfully leave the farm because the farm and mill were not enough to sell, and wouldn’t give him much profit. The farm has trapped him in Starks Field for life because it has left him without money, and even when he tries to escape with Mattie he still doesn’t get to gather enough money to leave. In the text it states, “Guess he’s been in Starkfield too many winters. Most of the smart ones get away.” (Prologue.9) This clearly indicates that people refer to him as somebody they thought would be able to get out of Starkfield, but just spent so many years in the farm because Zeena never wanted to leave and then she got sick, and then he was stuck with the farm. Overall, this farm is a symbol because it shows that Ethan will always be stuck with Zeena and always live this unhappy life in Starkfield and will always be reminded of his failure.
In conclusion, there are many uses of symbolism and each of these symbols used they each played an important role in the book which include; the color red, winter, and the farm. Also, symbolism can mean all of different types of meanings