... This is especially true of Edith Wharton's novel Ethan Frome, as its prevelant death imagery leads many readers to predict the death of Mattie Silver. However, the correlation between the imagery and the plot is not quite so direct. In actuality, Edith Wharton surrounds Ethan with death ... is starving for love, hope, and some sense of pride and accomplishment. Since he cannot obtain these things, especially after the accident and Mattie's subsequent change for the worse, Ethan is resigned to a living death. This pining away of Ethan's hopes and dreams is further illustrated ... death-l...

• Word Count: 2068
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: Undergraduate