Zeena Frome

Zeena Frome 

Zeena Frome is Ethan Frome's older, unnatractive, sickly wife who is in a one-sided marriage.  She loves Ethan but he does not feel the same way about her.  Zeena also has suspicions of Ethan and Mattie's relationship.  Although sometimes being hatred, Zeena seems to draw the most sympathy in the novel. 

"Zeena had always been what Starkfield alled "sickly," and Frome had to admit that, of she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm." (pg. 25)

Metaphors

Figurative Language 

Another example of figurative language in Ethan Frome is the use of metaphors.  A metaphor is a way of comparing.  The narrator explains Ethan Frome to be "seemed a part of the mute, melancholy landscape, an incarnation of its frozen woe." (pg. 11)

Symbolism

Figurative Language

One of the major symbols in the novel was the winter setting.  Symbolism is usually taking a non-living object or a concrete object and giving it a meaning that fits into a story line.  The winter setting symbolizes mystery, darkness, sadness, loneliness, and stressfulness.  All of which Ethan experiences throughout some point in the novel.        

"One would have supposed that such an atmosphere must quicken the emotions as well as the blood; but it seemed to produce no change except that of retarding still more the sluggish pulse of Starkfield." (pg. 13) 

Similes

Figurative Language 

One example of figurative language in the novel, Ethan Frome is the use of similes.  For example, the narrator describes the way Mattie's face looked to Ethan as "like a window that has caught the sunset."  Also, the narrator desribes the way Ethan and Mattie act together as "her wonder and his laughter ran together like spring rills in a thaw."

     

Conflict #2

Conflict

The second conflict in the novel is within Ethan Frome himself.  He faces large conflict with his own conscience.  Ethan is having to make many hard decisions.  He also has to live with the fact that staying married to his wife, Zeena, is morally right but the love in the relationship is one-sided.  Ethan also has to live with the fact that he loves Zeena but it is unethical for him to cheat on his wife.

"He was not the kind of man to be turned from his business by any commotion of the elements." (pg. 17)

Conflict #1

Conflict 

One of the major conflicts in the novel is the tension between Ethan, Mattie, and Zeena.  Zeena has suspicions of Ethan and Mattie's relationships which makes the situation even more awkward.  But what Zeena does not know is that Ethan and Mattie have secretly been seeing each other on the side.  Also, Ethan is debating on whether or not to actually leave Zeena for Mattie.  


"All his life was lived in the sight and sound of Mattie Silver, and he could no longer conceive of its being otherwise." (pg. 27)

Theme #2

Theme

The second theme in Ethan Frome is the winter setting.  Not only does the winter setting add a cold, mysterious, and somewhat of a sad feel to the novel.  The dark winter setting adds to the heartbreak that Ethan Frome is going through considering that he cannot be with the one that he truly loves.  

"One would have supposed that such an atmosphere must quicken the emotions as well as the blood; but it seemed to produce no change except that of retarding still more the sluggish pulse of Starkfield." (pg. 13)