Arya Mansour
Ms. Rossi
ENG1D1
April 27, 2015
Ethan Frome Essay
Generally authors use certain physical features to develop the emotions and feelings of some of the characters in their book. In the novella Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton, the author has used these elements to reflect on some the characteristics of the protagonist, Ethan. This helps the reader get a better understanding of the emotional struggles that Ethan is going through in this ill-fated love story. The gloomy dark atmosphere, impoverished area, and the missing part of the barn where Ethan lives, are among these features.
For the most part, the atmosphere of the novella is constantly desolate and cloudy, and the harsh weather is never ending. This mirrors Ethan’s mood which is constantly dark and filled with thoughts of depression. “Guess he's been in Starkfield too many winters. Most of the smart ones get away." (Prologue.9). This quote explains how Ethan has gone through the severe winters of Starkfield many times. Starkfield is always shown as a trap, people either escape it while they can or they get stuck there forever. Ethan’s hopes and dreams will forever be trapped in Starkfield which ultimately leads to his depression and attempt at suicide. “Somebody had to stay and care for the folks. There warn't ever anybody but Ethan. First his father-then his mother-then his wife." (Prologue.11). Ethan has gone through many deaths of relatives, and problems to which he has no solution. This quote displays that Ethan’s life is filled with sad and depressing moments. All of Ethan’s hopes and dreams are destroyed, and even he feels that he has no chance of having a better life in the future. The grim weather of Starkfield is an example of Ethan’s inner thoughts and emotions which are always sad and pessimistic.
Another element of the