Theme Of Lightness And Darkness In Wharton's Ethan Frome

Wharton describes a still and serene snow scene to depict the entire mood of Starkville, the dull town where Ethan lives. Wharton shows that before Mattie arrives, Ethan continues a monotonous and bleak life at his vaccant farm with little human interaction. The white, dull, and cold snow represents the emotionless life that Ethan experiences. There is no color or hope, like sprigtime, in Ethan’s life. His future holds more of the same harsh and bitter lifestyle on his farm, while he cares for his lifelong companion, Zeena. Wharton uses the white snow as a way to further understand the rut Ethan

The whole novel taking place in the winter adds to the bitterness and bleak tone of the story. Readers see Starkfield as a place that confines and holds back people from enjoying

In Edith Wharton’s Ethan Frome, are specific details in the chapters that contain symbols. “Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. Generally, it is an object representing another to give it an entirely different meaning that is much deeper and more significant (Literary Devices 1).” Symbolism is used throughout literature especially in Ethan Frome. These symbols in this book bring out the theme that is seen in the book. The symbols that are shown in Ethan Frome is Mattie’s red scarf and ribbon, the dead vines that are in front of Ethan Frome’s house, and the cat with the red glass pickle-dish.

The novel Ethan Frome is about the Frome inhabitants living in the small society of Starkfield, Massachusetts. Ethan Frome, whom the book is named after, is trapped in a loveless marriage with Zeena, a sickly older woman. He wishes to be with Mattie, the younger, vivacious niece of Zeena who has been staying with the Fromes to help around their house. Because the death of Mattie’s parents left her penniless and homeless, her extended family saw the opportunity of sending her off to the Frome’s as a way to take care of Zeena’s claims to need help because of her sickness. Ethan desires to leave Zeena and be with Mattie, but sees the prospect as impossible due to the rules that have been set upon him by society. The main characters Ethan, Zeena,

In Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton uses light/dark and warm/cold imagery to indicate the emotional sense of comfort or lack thereof is associated with observable experiences in daily life. In general, it is more satisfying to be in a well-lit, warm space; there is no fear of what lurks in the shadows and the temperature is pleasurable. Meanwhile, dark, cold environments invoke a sense of apprehension and discomfort. Ethan’s saw mill is said to “[gloom] through the night,” and his landscape is described as “grey and lonely” (Wharton 20). The dark, barren landscape symbolizes Ethan’s disgust with the life he leads, also comparing the unavoidable winter to the permanence of his life in Starkfield.

In order to escape Zeena so that “[they’d] never have to leave each other” Mattie and Ethan decide to commit a double suicide by crashing into a large elm tree (143). However, instead of dying on impact, both survive—Frome, “stiffened and grizzled” (4) like “an old man” and Mattie, paralyzed from her neck down. Ironically, they achieve their goal. With Mattie bed-bound for the rest of her life and Frome too poor to move away, they have to spend the remainder of their lives together. Even more ironic is how Mattie becomes Zeena after the “smash-up,” when that was who they trying to escape (4). Bed-bound, she spends her days “[complaining] in a high thin voice,” her withered body reduced to “hollow[ed]...temples,” “shriveled [face]” and a “shapeless” form (151). Moreover, while in the past “[Zeena couldn’t even care for herself” and prevented her husband’s happiness, now that that “she seemed to be raised right up just when the call came to her” and effectively sustained Ethan’s personal hell

In Ethan Frome, Ethan would be considered a strong person. After Zeena hurts him financially, socially, and emotionally, this proves Ethan is a strong person. Ethan does prove some points where he is not strong with standing up to Zeena becomes a conflict. Ethan would be considered an antagonist by cheating on Zeena. Although she can be difficult to deal with at times, that did not give him the right to cheat on her. He would be considered passive because he allows Zeena to tell him what to do. By giving this evidence, this would tell anyone that Ethan’s level of tolerance is his strongest characteristic.

“‘Most of the smart ones get away.’ But if that were the case, how could any combination of obstacles have hindered the flight of a man like Ethan Frome?” (Edith Wharton). In Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton, Ethan marries his cousin Zenobia (Zeena), and then cheats on his cousin/wife with her cousin, Mattie. Mattie makes one mistake and Zeena’s prized possession, a pickle dish, is ruined. The pickle dish symbolizes Ethan and Zeena’s relationship.

Literature is compiled of a multitude of ways the phrases can be interpreted by the one invested into the story through different views and experiences. In Edith Wharton’s novella Ethan Frome, symbols are evident throughout, but every one of them can have numerous meanings depending on the angle a reader makes. The symbol of the pickle dish can be derived to symbolize the unhappiness and delusion in someone’s life and rebellion from the familiar every day actions.

The town of Starkfield is very aptly named: the town is barren and has long, harsh winters. Staying in Starkfield for too many winters is considered a terrible fate by many, and is the unfortunate fate of the main character. But the setting of Starkfield was established the way it was for a specific purpose: to help develop characters in a very intimate manner. This is why not many characters, outside of the three main characters, are seen throughout the novel, to force them to connect with each other. Edith Wharton uses the theme of isolation to develop the characters to have intimate understands of each other, and allows her to create strong characters.

Edith Wharton uses Mattie to express isolation and being lonely. She comes to the country with ribbons in her hair and more joy in herself. She wanted to free Ethan from the terrible society he lived in. Life in Starkfield is bleak and boring. No one comes outside or enjoys themselves. This is mainly why Ethan wants to escape the barren and poor neighborhood. Ethan is also isolated as well. He opposes society mainly because he cannot be with the one he loves and he doesn’t want to ruin his marriage to Zeena as well. When Zeena falls ill, she goes to the doctor for a couple of days and returns only to find her expensive china now ruined. Angry, she tells Ethan that she needs more hired help and plans to send Mattie away. Upset, Ethan did not know what to do . He decided to write a letter to Zeena telling her to run the farm and be by herself. However, he

In Edith Wharton’s novel, Ethan Frome, one major critical theory revolves around the psychological criticism. The novel revolves around this critical theory because Wharton wanted the reader to observe how the setting becomes dependent on the emotional state of the character and vice versa. Throughout the novel, Wharton makes changes to the environment to represent Ethan’s fondness for certain characters. On the contrary, Wharton displays how the setting directly influences Ethan’s mental state. As the reader perceives this influence that each character has on Ethan Frome, they can develop an understanding of the relationships established in the novel. This critical theory will be expressed throughout the literary analysis paper, specifically in the Novel Summary section and Literary Criticism sections. The following text will analyze the drastic changes in the environment and compare it to Ethan’s mental state.

In the novel, Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton, Ethan Frome conflicts with facing reality as opposed to obtaining a false dream. Ethan has to face the reality that he is not allowed to leave with his new founded love, Maddie. He had tried to obtain the false dream of running away with her, but this love is forbidden and he was left to stay at home with his wife, Zeena.

And especially that he feels good around Mattie, he can understand her when they are talking and that is why he likes to spend time with her. Also, an important thing that this quote shows to us is that with this “communion”, he can trust her, a thing that could not apply to Zeena. The choice of the word “communion” also tells us that Mattie has a warm personality, that when they are together, they emit rays of sunshine.

One of the quotes earlier in the book is made by Ross, “Is’t night 's predominance, or the day 's shame,That darkness does the face of earth entomb, When living light should kiss it?”(2.4.10-12). At this time, he is describing the abnormal feeling that has been present since King Duncan was murdered. Ross recognizes the evil that has taken place at night, which is one of the first times night is given the new meaning and will set the mood for this word throughout the rest of the play. He also references darkness to stress the dreary mood that is felt during the night hours.