Ethan Frome Character Analysis

Ethan Frome is a harrowing tale of one man’s bitter failures in life. Our protagonist, the novel’s namesake, is surrounded by pestilence and misfortune. However, these follies cannot be dismissed as fate, for it is Ethan’s own choices that decide his future. The main theme which nearly all of the characters suffer from is hopelessness. In the exposition as the reader is introduced to the character of Ethan Frome, it is made clear his problem is that he never left his hometown: “‘Guess he’s been in Starkfield too many winters. Most of the smart ones get away’” (Wharton 2). He has had to take care of sick family, thus stopping him from completing his education. Ethan’s first mistake is marrying his cousin, Zenobia. He doesn’t know her well enough and is only marrying her out of fear of being alone. He is thoroughly amazed by her ability to do basic nursing …show more content…
She maintains power over Ethan and Mattie throughout the entire novel, silently observing as they fall in love, and keeping them trapped and unable to rejoice in their mutual affections. Both Mattie and Ethan succumb to their feelings in a Romeo and Juliet-esque last stand against the circumstances which threaten to tear them apart. Zeena is not without weakness though, as she resorts to faking chronic illnesses to make the most out of Ethan’s sense of duty towards her. “‘The doctor says it’ll be my death if I go on slaving the way I’ve had to’”(Wharton 48) were Zeena’s words shortly before the accident. Somehow she was still able to care for both Ethan and Mattie despite these grievous medical concerns. As Mrs. Ned Hale explains in the resolution, “‘...she seemed to be raised right up just when the call came to her. Not as she’s ever given up doctoring...but she’s had the strength given to her to care for those two for over twenty years, and before the accident came she thought she couldn’t even care for herself’”(Wharton