... obvious symbol of Zeena. Zeena is the wife of Ethan Frome, the main character, and is a hypochondriac. The cat first appears when Ethan Frome and Mattie Silver, the girl he will end up having an affair with, spend the night together in Zeena's absence. During this night the cat does everything it can ... cat, unbidden, jumped between them into Zeena's empty chair" (Wharton 73). This action by the cat represents Zeena trying to come between Ethan and Mattie's relationship. Then later when they're eating dinner the cat knocks the pickle dish off the table, shattering it in the process. The...

• Word Count: 675
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... . Throughout the novel, the setting represents both the character's moods, and the characters themselves. Setting is constantly used to describe Mattie. Mattie is, quite often, compared to spring, a symbol of life. Mattie comes to Starkfield in the springtime. When she comes, she becomes Ethan's reason for living. She is really the only life ... in the household, because Zeena is sick, and Ethan is unhappy. Mattie is also described with the color red. She has a red scarf, red ribbon in her hair, a red bedspread, and red lips and cheeks. The ... symbolic of life and love, as Ethan falls ...

• Word Count: 275
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... exactly like the novel's; cold, quiet, isolated, and downtrodden. While Neeson's appearance was nearly flawless, some definite flaws can be found in Patricia Arquette's character, Mattie Silver. The Mattie portrayed in the film seems very querulous and annoying, like a spoiled little princess, while in the novel she takes on a more happy role, with bright ... she doesn't get what she wants, but has a noticeable spring in her step and is feeling better the day that Mattie is supposed to leave. The Zeena portrayed in the movie was just as I had imagined the Zeena in the novel. The casting...

• Word Count: 614
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School