Introduction
Ethan Frome is a novel about a character by the name Ethan Frome. The author of this fictitious literary work is a prolific American called Edith Wharton. Since its publication in 1911, the novel has gained fame on world platform which saw several copies of it being sold in different parts of the world. The story revolves around an individual whose dreams end in disarray after the fateful turn of events. The entire story of the main character by the name Ethan Frome together with his family is narrated by anonymous individual who happened to stay with them during winter in Stark field, Massachusetts (Thomas 405). The whole episode unfolds in the New England in a fictitious town of Stark field where the narrator makes a brief encounter with Ethan Frome while the former worked with in Massachusetts with a power plant. The narrator finds Frome as the outstanding personality in town. The speaker gathers bits of his story from quite a number of sources around town. A misfortune made walking back to the storyteller’s home difficult. Thus, he has no option but to shelter in Frome’s house. At Frome’s house, the narrator gets clue about the real disaster that Frome has to cope with. He then switch to third person narration and prepares and presents to the readers events that happened over two decades into the past (Blackwood 67).
Thesis statement of the research seeks to examine and analyze the validity of infidelity in the contemporary marriages alongside the price that every parties involved must be willing and ready to pay. Furthermore, the revelation of an accident that paralyzed Mattie is crucial in understanding the insight of her love with the married man (Frome) leading to the bitter and hateful relationship among the three who had no option but to live together in one confined house. Series of misfortunes follow the family of Ethan Frome whose future is never promising following untimely death of his parents. Besides, the unsuccessful nature of his plans proves to be a major setback to Frome particularly in his quest to spend his time with other women. It’s regrettable seeing his affair with Mattie taking unusual twist leading to stressful, frantic and hateful lifestyle (Asya 23).
The Background and Early Life of Ethan Frome
This novel is divided into two fronts. The narrator gives an account of events that took place over 24 years ago and what went on in the life and family of the main character at the present in the context of the novel. The narrator of the novel introduces the readers to a man who lives in Starksfield in the state of Massachusetts. Ethan Frome is a young chap who briefly pursued his science studies at the higher education level. However, his ambition to become one of the reputable scientists the world has ever produced suffered a heavy blow following the death of his father (Blackwood 64). Things would never be the same for this young hardworking and dedicated man. He was therefore compelled to drop out of the college to embark on farming activities back at home. During that period, his mother was also seriously ill hence Zeena (his cousin) had to come to care for her. Unfortunately, the mother passed on and he was compelled to marry his cousin, Zeena out of loneliness and desperation.
The narrator happened to be working at a power plant in the rural parts of the state. Incidentally, it was the closest town to the plant where he worked is Starks field where the person who becomes the main character used also to stay. Their marriage did not attained glamour and much happiness as the couple would have highly anticipated. This was another setback to already disillusioned and dejected Ethan Frome who could hardly afford a smile. Every bit of time and moment the couple shared together was culminated by a frown as future seemed more blurred than even the past.
Thus, the narrator dig up the opportunity to taste life in this stunning town where the tall and lame character called Ethan Frome also worked. It came to the writer as a form of obsession as he developed so much interest in learning how the man who is at the centre of the story led his life and that of his family. The narrator gives a detailed account of the good relations that existed between them since they came to know each other. Every morning, they would travel together to work as Frome became his sleigh driver. This was not by default but simply by chance. This was the best opportunity that the speaker in the novel had to extract a lot of information in regards to life, character and relationships between Ethan and people who live around. (Blackwood 64)
His major concern was primarily focused in the way the main character conducted himself while with his family. He was particularly attracted to the way Ethan treated the marriage and family institution in general. To many readers, a sudden change in the way Ethan conducted his personal life or even dealt with family issues was controversial and at times raised eyebrows (Balakrishnan 264). This came even as infidelity gained prominence with regard to the way Ethan treated his wife. His sudden change of plan as well as ambitions in life is explicitly unraveled by the narrator is clear indication of how unpredictable human beings can be at times (Blackwood 64).
It was clear in the mind of Ethan that giving in the appalling move was not an option as it was his turn to explore his love life further. This would definitely hurt his wife who was always committed to making sure their relationship as husband and wife would ever remain stable and immortal (Balakrishnan 264). The main character sorts some happiness and that’s why he would try it out with the Zeena’s cousin going by the name Mattie Silver. The latter only came to Ethan’s place to help out ailing cousin carryout housework activities. Although Ethan secretly went out with Mattie, it was clear that could not impress the wife who was suffering and would always spend better part of the day lying on bed (Blackwood 64)
Present Life of Ethan Frome
The narrator discloses series of events that happened in the life of Ethan over two decades. This section actually showcases the current state of affairs following series of misfortune and bad luck that has befallen the young man. Despite his efforts to making sure that he led a prosperous and worthy lifestyle, things would never work out in Ethan’s favor. Although Mattie’s suicide attempt was unsuccessful, it was clear hard luck still stood on the way of Ethan who worked extremely hard to lead a worthy and meaningful life (Asya 23).
It is twenty-four years down the line and the narrator uncovers the latest happenings from Frome’s home. It is disillusioning to find out that two women would never lead a happier kind of life as had always been during their childhood. The narrator accesses Frome’s kitchen where the two women seated clearly hopeless and pessimistic. While one was tall and looked severe, the other woman was evidently paralyzed and shriveled. The former is Zeena while the Latter who was paralyzed in introduced by Ethan as Miss Mattie Silver (Balakrishnan 264).
Analysis of the novel
The narrator focuses on the ills that go in society. He is particularly perturbed by the challenges that young people face as they struggle to make a living. In addition, the weaknesses that societies face are culturally, socially and economically instigated. The genesis of all series of problems that Ethan went through began following death of his father. He was forced to drop schooling and instead look at family farm. This was a major blow to the young lad who just like his pee=-rs once had big ambitions to accomplish in life (Asya 23). Such vision would never into reality. Further, he is embroiled in affairs which many societies is culturally incorrect. He marries his cousin (Zeena) due to loneliness and also end up falling in love with cousin to his wife cousin (Mattie) who only paid them a visit to assist ailing Zeena perform house chores.
Conclusion
The novel gives insight on the various challenges that many societies have to cope with. These include: economic, social and cultural problems. Such challenges would impact on individuals positively or negatively. For Ethan Frome, there would be nothing impressive in the world as all that has befallen him only hurts and pushes him beyond the limits. His is a life full of regrets (Asya 23).
Work Cited
Asya, Ferda. “Edith Wharton’s Dream of Incest: Ethan Frome.” Studies In Short Fiction 35.1 (1998): 23. Academic Search Complete. Web 1 Mar. 2012.
Balakrishnan, Seetha. “From Retreat To Revelation – A Prismatic Study Of Edith Wharton’s Ethan Frome And Summer.” Language In India 11.9 (2011): 264-270. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 1 Mar. 2012.
Blackwood, Gary L. “Ethan Frome.” Plays – The Drama Magazine For Young People 58.4 (1999): 67. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 1 Mar. 2012.
Eggenschwiler, David. “The Ordered Disorder Of Ethan Frome.” Studies In The Novel 9.3 (1977): 237. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Mar. 2012.
Thomas, J.D. “Marginalia On Ethan Frome.” American Literature 27.3 (1955): 405. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Mar. 2012.
