What theme does Wharton attempt to convey through their communication?
The message that Wharton conveys through Ethan is that when people fear they are violating the rules of society, they risk becoming enslaved by those rules.
What is ironic about Mrs Hale’s interpretation?
– Mrs. Hale becomes surprised at the fact that Ethan allowed the narrator to stay the night in his house as she says he is too proud to allow anybody to enter except his old friends. This is ironic as he has nothing to be proud of in that his life, like his house, is slowly rotting away with no one to care for it.
Who is Mrs Ned Hale and what do we learn about her?
Mrs. Hale is Ned’s mother and Andrew’s wife. Ethan runs into her on his way to borrow money from Andrew. She’s so sweet to him that he abandons his plan to borrow money from her husband and skip town with Mattie.
What old keepsake did Ethan stumble across that Zeena had once made for him?
When Ethan goes to his study and lays down on the sofa, a cushion that Zeena made for him — the only piece of needlework that Zeena had ever done — pokes him in the cheek.
Who is the main character in Ethan Frome?
Mattie Silver
What did Ethan tell Mattie?
Ethan sadly tells her that he is “tied hand and foot,” and that there isn’t anything he can do. Mattie asks him to write to her and Ethan replies that writing is no good, when what he wants to do is be with her, and take care of her when she’s sick or lonely.
What do the gravestones symbolize in Ethan Frome?
The gravestones are for Ethan’s dead family. Ethan has wanted to escape Starkfield his entire life, and the gravestones are mentioned many times throughout the novel as a reminder that fate is inevitable and his life was already chosen for him.
Why did Ethan have to give up going to the village?
It was long past the dinner-hour when the job was done, and Ethan had to give up going to the village because he wanted to lead the injured horse home and wash the cut himself.