Essay on "Ethan Frome"

Essay 3 pages (1066 words) Sources: 1

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Ethan Frome

Consider narrator in Ethan Frome. Who is he, and how does his particular point-of-view affect the narrative? Does it make the story more credible or realistic? How?

The narrator in the story is someone who has heard about a legendary figure in Starkfield named Ethan Frome. He is in the town to understand Ethan and why he is such a popular individual. The thoughts of the narrator affect the story, by providing a contemporary view of the main character. At which point, they begin telling the story from the memories and thoughts of Ethan Frome (as the novel looks back at his life 20 years earlier). In this aspect, the narrator's point-of-view is affecting the story, by giving the novel a sense of realism. (Wharton, 2009)

This makes the story seem more credible, because of the way the narrator is telling it. Where, the use of how the theme and plot are introduced, are providing the reader with the feeling that these different events have actually taken place. This makes the story seem as if it loosely based on the life of Ethan Frome (even though the town and actual events are fictitious). In many ways, one could argue that the use of the narrator by Wharton would shape the overall tone of the novel. As they would serve a dual role of: being a story teller and the gateway between past along with current events. When you step back and analyze the situation, it is clear that the use of the narrator is an important element that the author is utilizing, to make the story more believable and instill that sense of realism. (Wharton, 2009)

Images of fire and ice abound Ethan Frome. How are they connected metaphorically to the events, situations, and characters of the novel?

The themes fire and ice are used to indirectly highlight the conflict as well as changes that are occurring with Ethan throughout the novel. As the fire will represent the emotions that Frome wants to express to Mattie and his frustrations with the current situation. While the ice would depict how he is powerless to stop such events from occurring. Throughout the novel, Wharton uses these two metaphors interchangeably, to highlight these feelings that Ethan and Mattie have for each other. A good example of this can seen with, the depictions of the color red, against a snowy background. In this situation, fire and ice are not being directly referred to. Instead, the color of red is used to depict the conflicts and challenges (fires) that Ethan is wrestling with. While the snow (ice), is highlighting the cold environment that Ethan lives in, as his wife Zeena has become more bossy and demanding. In this case, Ethan is facing a conflict in revealing his true feelings for Mattie. As he no longer loves Zeena, but cannot find the courage to express his thoughts to Mattie. This creates the fire (the desire for change that Ethan wants) and the ice (the frustration that things will not improve in the future). (Wharton, 2009)

When you step back and analyze the use of fire along with ice, it is clear that Wharton is utilizing these elements… READ MORE

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