In the novel, Ethan Frome, there are two women named Zeena and Mattie. They are cousins and have very different personalities, but in some ways are alike. Edith Wharton (author of the novel) represents the character of Zeena as a cold-hearted, manipulative, self-absorbed woman who manipulates Ethan by using her "sickness." Unlike Zeena, Mattie is and adventurous, helpful, and in her own way, a seductive woman. Although Zeena and Mattie possess different personalities, they are alike in some ways. For example, Zeena and Mattie are wise and they both manipulate Ethan.
Different aspects of Zeena's personality affect Mattie in a good way. Zeena is an officious, dull, "sick" person which pushes Ethan away from her. For example in chapter 4 (pg.53) it states, "When she (Zeena) spoke it was only to complain of things not in his power to remedy." Unlike Zeena, Mattie is a healthy and sexy woman which Ethan wants. Therefore, Zeena's attitude is driving Ethan way from her. Mattie's behavior does not affect only Zeena, but Ethan as well. She has become an infatuation for Ethan that is making him feel guilty. In chapter 10, Ethan wrote a letter of his departure with Mattie, but then Ethan felt sorry and guilty for even thinking of Zeena who is sick and alone.
Mattie's and Zeena's attitudes affect their friends and neighbors and Ethan is also affected mentally and emotionally. For example in the epilogue, it states; "But sometimes when the two of them get going at each other. And Ethan's face"d break your heart when I see that, it's him that suffers most ." (pg.30). Here Mrs. Hale is explaining to the narrator how in the end when Zeena and Mattie's personality change, it truly affects Ethan negatively. Not only that, the town's people tend to look down upon the Fromes.
In the novel, Zeen is portrayed as the bad person because she is always so demanding and high-tempered. Mattie is a sexual temptation (for Ethan) which is covered up with a sweet personality.
