Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

Description

“Ethan Frome” is a novel by Edith Wharton, first published in 1911. Set in the fictional New England town of Starkfield, it tells the story of Ethan Frome, a man trapped in a loveless marriage to his sickly and demanding wife, Zeena. Their lives change when Zeena’s young cousin, Mattie Silver, comes to live with them to help with household chores.

Ethan and Mattie soon develop feelings for each other, but their love is doomed by their circumstances. They cannot openly express their love due to Ethan’s marriage and the strict moral code of the time. The novel explores themes of duty, morality, and the consequences of desire.

The narrative is framed by a prologue and epilogue set in the present, where the narrator encounters the now-disabled Ethan and learns his tragic story. Through flashbacks, the reader discovers the events leading to Ethan’s current state, including his youthful ambitions, his marriage to Zeena, and his growing love for Mattie.

Wharton’s prose is spare and evocative, perfectly capturing the starkness of the New England landscape and the emotional repression of her characters. “Ethan Frome” is a powerful and tragic tale of love and duty, highlighting the destructive impact of unfulfilled desires and the harsh realities of rural life in the early 20th century.