What is the main theme in Ethan Frome?
Society and Morality as Obstacles to the Fulfillment of Desire. The constraint social and moral concerns place on individual desire is perhaps the novel’s most prominent theme, since Ethan Frome’s plot is concerned with Ethan’s desire for a woman who is not his wife.
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.
How is Ethan from a tragic hero?
Ethan Frome of Edith Wharton’s novel, Ethan Frome, possesses characteristics of an ineffective hero. He suffers from the beginning of the novel, stuck living with his sick parents, and as a result of his flaws, he marries Zeena and falls for Mattie, resulting in both his physical and emotional fracture.
What does Starkfield symbolize in Ethan Frome?
The name of the town, Starkfield, symbolizes the devastating and isolating effects of the harsh winters on the land and the men who work the land.
What does Mattie’s red scarf symbolize?
Mattie’s Red Scarf and Red Ribbon Red is the color of blood, ruddiness, good health, and vitality, all of which Mattie has in abundance, and all of which Zeena lacks. In the oppressive white landscape of Starkfield, red stands out, just as Mattie stands out in the oppressive landscape of Ethan’s life.
What is ironic about the ending of Ethan Frome?
Following his mother’s unfortunate death, left with only Zeena, Ethan asked her to stay with him, simply to avoid loneliness; the irony here is that, within one year, Zeena became sickly and silent, just like his mother! The love between Ethan and Mattie itself was unsuccessful, never meant to happen.
What kind of tragic hero is Ethan Frome?
Therefore, Ethan Frome can be labeled as a tragic hero; one who is destined for greatness but ruined by his own shortcoming. Zenobia Pierce Frome, or Zeena, was presented as one of the “obstacles” of Ethan Frome’s life that kept him from his dreams. However, Ethan did not always think of Zeena so negatively.
What does the elm tree symbolize in Ethan Frome?
Analysis. The Elm tree symbolizes Ethan’s only way out with Mattie. There’s no solution that would allow him to leave Starkfield and Zeena to run away with Mattie. The only way that he would be able to control his fate would be to crash both Mattie and himself into the tree in hopes of no survival.
What does the pickle dish symbolize in Ethan Frome essay?
The pickle-dish, Zeena’s favorite wedding present, is a symbol of Ethan and Zeena’s marriage. For this reason, its destruction is particularly devastating to Zeena. The red color of the dish can be interpreted as symbolizing the passion that the couple no longer share.
How does the cat symbolize Zeena?
The Cat and the Pickle Dish The animal serves as a symbol of Zeena’s tacit invisible presence in the house, as a force that comes between Mattie and Ethan, and reminds them of the wife’s existence.
Why is the missing door key significant in Ethan Frome?
Why is the missing door key significant? – The missing door key is significant as it shows that Ethan cannot live his fantasy with Mattie as it will lock him out of society and his home. It also shows that Zeena has her suspicions over Ethan’s thoughts on Mattie.
What are the common characteristics of the tragic hero?
Based on the Greek plays, the tragic hero typically has the following characteristics:
- Hubris : excessive pride.
- Hamartia: a tragic error of judgment that results in the hero’s downfall.
- Peripeteia: the hero’s experience of a reversal of fate due to his error in judgment.
What illness does Zeena have?
hypochondria
Her hypochondria and her few legitimate illnesses serve as excuses for her to indulge in patent remedies and expensive visits to doctors at a time when Ethan is struggling to pay off the heavy mortgage on the farm and still maintain financial solvency.
What does the color red symbolize in Ethan Frome?
Throughout Ethan Frome, the color red attributes to Mattie Silver and the sun. Red represents the color of life—of blood, fire, passion, and war. Red also represents danger and warning as well as the color of hellfire and damnation.
What is the significance of Shadow Pond?
As Mattie and Ethan begin their ride, Ethan feels almost happy. He takes a route that leads them to Shadow Pond. The name “Shadow” is suggestive of the memories that Ethan and Mattie have of the spot; as well, it connotes the inability that Mattie and Ethan have of really communicating their feelings to each other.
What does the red pickle dish symbolize?