Free Essays on Whartons Ethan Frome: Wonderful and Cynical Ethane :: Ethan Frome Essays

grand and Cynical   Ethane Frome Wonderful symbol, pleasant reading, yet cynical and deterministic I thoroughly enjoyed this new and recommend it to lovers of romantic tragedy. For its mere 157 pages, this novel has an amazing impact. Wharton, who is usually credited for her stories set in the society she was to a greater extent familiar with, such as "The Age of Innocence" writes with profound symbolism here. Setting the story in the town of Starkfield, her main character, Ethan, is a low farmer caught between the cold reality of his matrimony and his warm vexation for love.   In many ways "Ethan Frome" reminds me of "The Great Gatsby", although Ethan is much more earthy and realistic than the fanciful Jay. But both novels read like poetry, and Wharton masterfully uses the natural settings and seasons to describe and emphasize her protagonists inner workings. Where the tragedy of Gatsbys story may be questionable, there is no question (not in my mind anyway) close to this storys appeal to our pathos.   What is even more interesting is that Ethan Frome is probably the closest to register of Whartons works. She most likely chose a male protagonist in lay to achieve the sympathy for those circumstances. Had she titled the story "Edna Frome" she would have likely aflame the animosity that Kate Chopin received for her book "The Awakening".   The story is a honest one and the reading very pleasing. Ethan Frome is in a loveless marriage to a "mean" and sickly woman - Zeena. He falls in love with her younger cousin Mattie, who embodies all the sweet characteristics of romance. The dilemma is unambiguous on the surface, but is strengthened by many other unconquerable realities. (Wharton has been labelled a believer of determinism, which is evident in this writing.)