1. Living Death: Imagery in Ethan Frome
... , and the thought flashed through [his] brain: If it was there for Zeena " - (Wharton 37). Wharton further describes Zeena through death imagery when she associates her with the elm tree, which is referred to throughout the novel as dangerous and an instrument of death. Zeena becomes connected with this symbol of death when Ethan sees a vision of her "face, with ... attempt at suicide (Wharton 120). However, Wharton's use of death imagery in connection with Mattie before the sled ride does not foreshadow her death. Instead, it foreshadows her downturn into soured, crippled old hag who gr...
- Word Count: 2068
- Approx Pages: 8
- Grade Level: Undergraduate