Elements Of Romanticism In Ethan Frome
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton is a gothic novel set in the town of Starkfield, Massachusetts in the early 1800’s regarding the life of the unlucky Ethan. The story explains Ethan’s tragic backstory as it recounts the people in his life he had to take care of. Ethan is now stuck taking care of hypochondriac wife Zeena. Zeena is a manipulating and controlling wife which drives Ethan to be separated emotionally from her. The story further progresses as the narrator presents the close relationship he begins with Zeena’s cousin Mattie. This book, which also has moments of romanticism, expresses the forbidden love Mattie and Ethan hold from the beginning of the story to the climax, and Gothicism is the main plot element incorporated into the novel that is displayed in many of the interactions between Mattie and Ethan and the gloomy backdrop of their dismal existence. One of the subtle reasons Gothicism is displayed in the novel is by the display of Zeena’s …show more content…
Ethan compares Mattie’s face as “part of the sun’s red and of the pure glitter on the snow” (Wharton 38). Romanticism involves poetic talk of “the underlying spirit of nature produced [by] an intense, subjective experience” (Text 3, Line 17). These scenes only last a few moments but Gothicism encroaches the tender scenes whether it be by Zeena, the cat, or the somber weather that encompasses this small town. Mattie is Ethan’s only hope of temporary escape and they go as far as attempting suicide to end taking care of the dreadful Zeena. The suicide attempt gone wrong is another hint to gothic literature because Ethan and Mattie are now the ones stuck being taken care of by the one person they hate. The lack of a sweet ending is further exemplified by the distinct difference of Mattie’s cheerful personality. She has turned into a carbon copy of Zeena’s cold atmosphere and Ethan perpetually lives in a
Ethan Frome Character Analysis
525 Words | 3 PagesAs result of several illnesses within his family, Ethan was forced to stay in Starkfield without a degree or the life he truly desired. Zeena’s constant state of hypochondria pushed Ethan farther away from his goals and closer to an unhappy marriage. When the new help arrived in Zeena’s cousin
Ethan Frome Determinism Analysis
729 Words | 3 PagesHe and Mattie are sledding down the large hill near his home when Mattie tells him to steer “Right into the elm tree … So ‘t we’d never have to leave each other any more” (Wharton 71). This was one of the few opportunities that Ethan procures to escape his dismal life at home, yet he messes it up again after thoughts of Zeena poured into his mind, causing him to steer away from his target. This is practically a representation of Ethan’s entire life. He has many hopes and dreams of escaping his disheartened life in pursuit of a superior one, but right as he is about to act, something always seems to impede his judgement, causing him to be incapable of enacting his own personal free will.
Symbolism In Ethan Frome By Edith Wharton
307 Words | 2 PagesWharton uses a lot of symbolism in the story “Ethan Frome”. Such as the red ribbon and red scarf. The color red represents vitality, good health, and ruddiness, all of which Mattie has a great quantity of. Zeena, on the other hand, lacks all of these qualities, considering her “condition”. This makes Mattie very attractive to Ethan, like a breath of fresh air, like a new beginning.
Imagery And Symbolism In Ethan Frome By Edith Wharton
802 Words | 4 PagesEdith Wharton published her novel Ethan Frome in 1911. Throughout Wharton’s novel, readers can see where she builds up patterns of behavior, and especially imagery. Symbolism can allow the charecters to express more clearly to the readers. Her attention to small details and use of structure shows Ethan’s complicated life to the readers. Ethan Frome has a lot of characteristics throughout Wharton’s novel.
Ethan Frome Character Analysis
719 Words | 3 PagesMany see their hometown as wonderful and enjoyable, but in the novel, Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton, the small town of Starkfield, Massachusetts has a sort of weather that makes people who live there, such as Ethan Frome, miserable. In the novel the severe weather in Starkfield serves as the prime purpose for Ethan, Zeena, and Mattie’s horrible demise. He did what he could to find pleasure in his marriage with Zeena, yet he had trouble rediscovering the initial reason for marrying her. Once Mattie came along, her and Ethan started to fall for each other and he became unfaithful in his marriage and eventually it resulted in him sharing his unhappiness with both Mattie and Zeena. Ethan Frome lived in Starkfield his entire life.
Decision Making In Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome
887 Words | 4 PagesEdith Wharton’s Ethan Frome was truly a book ahead of its time, being the center of controversy, it pushed what was standard of most novellas at the time, and and especially what was expected from woman. Set in the stark winter of New England, Massachusetts it tells us the tragic story of our main protagonist Ethan Frome. Ethan lives a normal life with his wife Zeena until Maddie Silver, Zeenas relative moves in creating a tension between everyone in the house. This created obstacles for Ethan since he really needs to think who his heart was really with and who he needed to fight for. Ethan Frome is a very difficult book to read because the reader had to endure a domino effect of Ethan, Zeena, and Maddie’s impetuous decisions, leading to the
Ethan Frome By Barbara White: Literary Analysis
429 Words | 2 PagesEthan Frome by Edith Wharton tells the tale of a man named Ethan Frome, his wife, Zeena Frome, and his secret lover, Mattie Silver. Ethan finds himself conflicted over his new-found infatuation with Mattie. The story proceeds on with the struggle between Ethan, Mattie, and Zeena. The introduction of Wharton’s New England by Barbara White discusses how the wintery setting of New England makes the setting more isolated and adds despair. The excerpt also gives insight into how the wintery setting helped to form the story of the book.
Characteristics Of Ethan Frome
308 Words | 2 PagesA long time resident of Starkfield, the protagonist Ethan Frome shows he is considerate by caring for and helping others. He first shows this trait when he gives up his desire to live in a city to support his ill mother. Though he has a strong wish to leave Starkfield, he respects his duty and cares for his mother. Ethan also shows this attribute to Zeena, by looking after her and contributing to her medicine while she also falls ill. Zeena is again thought of by Ethan when the pickle dish breaks.
Ethan Frome Quotes
984 Words | 4 PagesEthan flirted with Mattie and would try his hardest to impress her, for example, he began shaving his face everyday which he never used to do for Zeena. These inappropriate actions caused chaos within the household. Ethan began to lust over Mattie, wanting to spend as much
Ethan Frome Literary Analysis
738 Words | 3 PagesThe tragic novella of Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton focuses on adultery in rural New England. Stressing the importance of relationships, the narrator tells the story of Ethan Frome, a man searching for love. Despite being married to his cousin Zeena, he only views this civil union as a moral obligation. Then, he ventures into an adulterous relationship with Mattie Silver, and begins to understand what love is really about. The author often focuses on a red pickle dish, a treasured wedding gift, which unexpectedly shatters.
The Theme Of Love In Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome
763 Words | 4 PagesThat looks on tempests and is never shaken” (Lines 1-7). In Edith Wharton’s classic, Ethan Frome, this theme is present for protagonist Ethan Frome, who falls in love with his maid, Mattie, and forsakes his wife, Zeena. Ethan and Mattie’s flirtation with infidelity sets a catastrophic series of events into play: Zeena is jilted by the lovers’ betrayal, Mattie asks for the irrational way out of her situation, and all three characters make destructive decisions. Ethan’s indifference toward his wife and lack of compassion for her illnesses clearly demonstrates Ethan and Zeena’s loveless relationship.
The Importance Of Setting In Wharton's Ethan Frome
753 Words | 4 PagesIn Edith Wharton’s novel, Ethan Frome, setting plays an important role. The novel takes place in the fictional town of Starkfield, Massachusetts, in the winter and most likely during the early 1900s, a time better known as the Progressive Era. The Progressive Era brought about change and innovation in many areas, such as education and transportation. This change doesn’t really occur in Starkfield, however. Due to poor transportation, the residents of Starkfield become stuck during the harsh winter, and the majority of the rest of the year in this isolated town.
Ethan Frome: A Personal Tragedy
550 Words | 3 PagesEthan’s bad choices of leaving school, feeling lonely and marrying Zeena and then also being avoidant when he wants to leave her. Obviously, Ethan Frome’s tragedy is all caused by his personal decisions. One of many ignorant choices Ethan makes is when his mother gets ill, somewhere in the beginning of the story. During this time, Ethan dropped out of college.
Romanticism In The Black Cat
1141 Words | 5 PagesRomanticism in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat” and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown” Have you ever wondered, “How cruel can someone be? How does someone’s mind get to such a dark place?”
Gothic Elements In The Picture Of Dorian Gray
1087 Words | 5 PagesSome of the plenty gothic elements are: the evil, the secret places, the scary atmosphere. The protagonist is good at first, but transforms in a bad person; handsome at first but he transforms in an ugly person at the end because of his character and the portrait, represents his inner soul. The portrait, the main symbol of the novel, carries all the marks of Gray 's degeneration, who is exploring all possible vices and desires, without to notice his moral decay. And all these marks show on the canvas, become a sort of conscience for Dorian.
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