What kind of person is Ethan Frome?

What kind of person is Ethan Frome?

A sensitive figure, Ethan has a deep, almost mystical appreciation of nature, and he feels a strong connection to the youth, beauty, and vital spirit of Mattie Silver, his wife’s cousin.

What is Ethan Frome’s tragic flaw?

His concern for others (or maybe his unwillingness to make decisions which might hurt others) proves to be Ethan’s tragic flaw (figuratively speaking). He dreams of schools and society and all the things his hungry mind and heart desire.

Is Ethan Frome a good man?

Ethan Frome is basically the epitome of a good thing gone bad due to back luck, rather than to bad choices. Ethan is also an incredible patient man. He is loyal, and he is appreciative. This is evident in the fact that he marries Zeena after she has taken care of Ethan’s mother in her deathbed.

Why is Ethan Frome weak?

His family has died and he has a wife that is continually sick, and the only form of happiness he has is from his wife’s cousin Mattie. One theme of the book is weakness of character; this is shown by Ethan’s marraige, his inability to stand up to his wife, and his involvement concerning the “accident.”

Why does Ethan marry Zeena?

Ethan married Zeena because he was afraid of silence, just as his mother was. The Fromes appear to suffer from a fear of loneliness, which causes them to make poor decisions.

Does Ethan Frome die?

There are two endings in Ethan Frome. The first is right after Mattie and Ethan crash into the elm tree, at the end of Chapter 9. The second ending happens at the end of the Epilogue, 24 years later. It is this second ending that makes the story brilliant, but also earns it a high rating on our creepy-meter.

Does Ethan Frome kiss Mattie?

Yes, Ethan kisses Mattie near the end of the novel. He is supposed to be transporting her to the train station, but he takes a side route so they can…

Does Mattie really love Ethan?

Mattie in Love As a young woman, Mattie seems to be truly in love with Ethan. Everything from turning down Denis Eady to declaring her love indicates that her affection for Ethan is sincere.

Are Ethan and Zeena cousins?

Yes, Ethan and Zeena are cousins. They first met when Zeena came to Starkfield to help look after Ethan’s sickly mother.

Is Zeena actually sick?

Character Analysis Zenobia (Zeena) Frome Wharton describes Zeena’s physical appearance as gaunt, wrinkled, and sallow-faced. She has false teeth and her hair is kept in place with crimping pins. She is asthmatic and “sickly.” She speaks in a plaintive, whiny drawl.

How old is Zeena in Ethan Frome?

35 years old

Is the narrator in Ethan Frome a man or a woman?

The narrator is an engineer who has come to Starkfield to work at a nearby power plant. He’s an educated, upper-middle-class man who happens to become fascinated by the figure of Ethan Frome, 24 years after the tragic sled ride. Luckily for us, the narrator is a kind of a nosey guy.

What does the pickle dish symbolize in Ethan Frome?

The broken pickle dish that Zeena discovers at the top of the china closet symbolizes the shattered Frome marriage. Mattie is partially responsible for the breaking of both the pickle dish and the marriage, having handled them carelessly, and Ethan cowardly hides the broken state of each.

What does the cat symbolize in Ethan Frome?

The Cat. The cat owned by the Fromes symbolizes Zeena’s presence. It is constantly around Ethan and Mattie while they are alone together, and it serves as a reminder to Ethan that he is doing this behind his wife’s back.

What plans has Ethan and Zeena?

Ethan thinks that if his mother had died in summer or spring instead of the desolate winter, he probably would never have gotten himself in the mess (i.e., he never would have married Zeena). Zeena had agreed to move away from Starkfield with Ethan. The initial plan was to sell the farm and mill and move to a city.

Why does Ethan regret lying to Zeena?

what lie does Ethan tell Zeena, why does he tell it, and why does he regret it? He told her he would be getting money from Andrew Hale so he wouldn’t have to take her to the Flats, and he regretted because she would spend more money on medication.

What made Mattie cry in Ethan Frome?

At supper, the cat jumps up onto the table, upsetting and breaking a pickle dish. The accident drives Mattie to tears, because Zeena had forbidden her ever to use the dish, a favorite wedding present of Zeena’s that came all the way from Philadelphia.

Why does Zeena fake sick?

We know that when Zeena became Ethan’s wife, she transformed into a sick woman. According to Ethan, she learned how to care for the sick by being sick herself.

What Zeena means?

It symbolizes the marriage and love of Ethan and Zeena. Zeena is the one who wants to keep it safe, and this shows that only she loves Ethan, but Ethan, who does not really care about the dish, does not love her. Click to see full answer.

How does Zeena manipulate Ethan?

In order to convey the necessary emotions to Ethan, Zeena manipulates him by hinting at the fact that even though he is late, he still has time to shave. There is a clear and powerful use of manipulation by Mattie to Ethan to appeal to his deepest emotions of love in order to convince him to stay true to their plan.

Is Zeena a hypochondriac?

She often appears to be a hypochondriac. In the novel the narrator states that “Zeena, she’s always been the greatest hand at doctoring in the county” (5). If Zeena had the greatest hand at doctoring, she would be able to help take care of herself and at the same time help others.

When did Ethan Frome marry Zeena?

Zeena was 35 when Mattie came to them. Ethan married Zeena when he was only 21 years old and she was 28.

Why does Ethan ask Hale for an advance?

Frantically searching for a solution, Ethan decides again to ask Andrew Hale for the advance on the lumber, feeling that Hale would relent if he thought that the money would make a difference in Zeena’s health. With the money, Ethan decides, he will be able to run away with Mattie and start a new life elsewhere.

Why does Ethan believe Zeena is jealous of Mattie?

What causes Ethan to believe Zeena is jealous of Mattie? How does Ethan’s attitude toward the Frome gravestones change? -Zeena liked living in a small town because she felt more important and liked looking down on people. As opposed to her living in a big city where people would look down on her instead.

What does Ethan want from Mr Hale and why?

Ethan wants his money from Mr. Hale. It was his excuse to Zeena’s request to take her to the train. Hale’s statement saddens Ethan because it makes him think of the happiness that eludes him and Mattie.

What does Mattie’s note to Ethan say?

It said, “Don’t trouble, Ethan.” This was his first note ever from Mattie. The note makes him feel closer to her. Wrestling with his mind, Ethan decides he can have happiness.

Did Ethan Frome try to kill himself?

Ethan tries to kill himself and Mattie by steering their sled directly into the trunk of a massive elm tree. The joint suicide is Mattie’s idea. She…

How is the ending of Ethan Frome ironic?

The most obvious examples are found within the ending of the novel. It is great situational irony that Ethan intends to commit suicide with Mattie, but ends up merely crippling both of them. This seems worse than death, especially considering the ironic change in Mattie’s behavior.

What does Zeena value most?

Zeena is unaware of the fact that Mattie is taking Ethan away from her, which would be the most valuable thing for a typical wife. Also, Zeena says that the dish is worth more than her husband.

Why does Ethan want Jotham to stay dinner?

Ethan wants Jothan Powell to stay for dinner to serve as a “neutralizing presence at the supper table.” Ethan wasn’t able to get the glue to fix the dish and was surprised that Zeena was already home.