Ethan Frome

Ethan Frome

Consider narrator in Ethan Frome. Who is he, and how does his particular point-of-view affect the narrative? Does it make the story more credible or realistic? How?

The narrator in the story is someone who has heard about a legendary figure in Starkfield named Ethan Frome. He is in the town to understand Ethan and why he is such a popular individual. The thoughts of the narrator affect the story, by providing a contemporary view of the main character. At which point, they begin telling the story from the memories and thoughts of Ethan Frome (as the novel looks back at his life 20 years earlier). In this aspect, the narrator's point-of-view is affecting the story, by giving the novel a sense of realism. (Wharton, 2009)

This makes the story seem more credible, because of the way the narrator is telling it. Where, the use of how the theme and plot are introduced, are providing the reader with the feeling that these different events have actually taken place. This makes the story seem as if it loosely based on the life of Ethan Frome (even though the town and actual events are fictitious). In many ways, one could argue that the use of the narrator by Wharton would shape the overall tone of the novel. As they would serve a dual role of: being a story teller and the gateway between past along with current events. When you step back and analyze the situation, it is clear that the use of the narrator is an important element that the author is utilizing, to make the story more believable and instill that sense of realism. (Wharton, 2009)

Images of fire and ice abound Ethan Frome. How are they connected metaphorically to the events, situations, and characters of the novel?

The themes fire and ice are used to indirectly highlight the conflict as well as changes that are occurring with Ethan throughout the novel. As the fire will represent the emotions that Frome wants to express to Mattie and his frustrations with the current situation. While the ice would depict how he is powerless to stop such events from occurring. Throughout the novel, Wharton uses these two metaphors interchangeably, to highlight these feelings that Ethan and Mattie have for each other. A good example of this can seen with, the depictions of the color red, against a snowy background. In this situation, fire and ice are not being directly referred to. Instead, the color of red is used to depict the conflicts and challenges (fires) that Ethan is wrestling with. While the snow (ice), is highlighting the cold environment that Ethan lives in, as his wife Zeena has become more bossy and demanding. In this case, Ethan is facing a conflict in revealing his true feelings for Mattie. As he no longer loves Zeena, but cannot find the courage to express his thoughts to Mattie. This creates the fire (the desire for change that Ethan wants) and the ice (the frustration that things will not improve in the future). (Wharton, 2009)

When you step back and analyze the use of fire along with ice, it is clear that Wharton is utilizing these elements to instill the sense conflict in the environment. This is important, because it helps the reader to be able to identify and understand the emotions that main characters are feeling. As the use of these two elements are: illustrating the challenges that are being faced and the sense of frustration in not addressing them. At which point, these disappointments will affect the relationship that the different characters (throughout the novel) will have towards one another. (Wharton, 2009)

What are the forces that contribute to Ethan Frome's tragic fate? Is Edith Wharton trying to suggest that he is a man who is extremely unlucky, and is therefore destined to failure and hardship? Or is she trying to make the naturalistic case that his fate is determined by heredity and environment? Or is his fate a combination of both factors?

The forces that contribute to Ethan Frome's fate are: the inability to express his emotions to Mattie, the fear that he had of Zeena and the inability to prevent what was happening. These different elements are important, because they come together to create the tragic turn of events that would occur at the end of the novel. As Zeena decides to send Mattie away, this is out of jealousy about her becoming to close with Ethan. This would cause Ethan to become more conflicted, with him not wanting to see Mattie go and he had these pent up feelings about her. At which point, he would express his feelings to her when it is too late. This would lead to them crashing the sled into a tree and Mattie becoming paralyzed. Once this occurred, it meant that Zeena and Ethan would continue to care for Mattie in the years ahead. (Wharton, 2009)