... surprising what a homelike look the mere fact of Zeena's absence gave it." The books most obvious theme is society and morality as obstacles to the fulfilment of desire, since Ethan Frome's plot is concerned with Ethan's desire for a women who is not his wife. By denying Zeena a single positive attribute while presenting Mattie as the epitome of glowing, youthful attractiveness, Wharton renders ... reader suspects her of hypochondria. Mattie's character constitutes All the story is set in motion by her presence in the Frome household. Yet we glimpse Mattie, as we glimpse Zeena, only throu...

• Word Count: 1560
• Approx Pages: 6

... and the town when he retells what Harmon says "Guess he's been in Starkfield too many winters. Most of the smart ones get away." (Ethan Frome, Introduction) By saying that "most of the smart ones get away", the author is making a representation that those who do not become aware of ... succeed one must leave this environment, they must leave Starkfield. He finishes the introduction by drawing a tie between the loneliness and isolation of Ethan and having lived in Starkfield. "All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had troubles enough of their own to make them .....

• Word Count: 1383
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School