Product Overview
Ethan Frome: Forced To Choose Between Happiness And Social Norms
In Edith Wharton's classic story, Ethan wants to be with Mattie but feels obligated to stay with his sickly wife.
Ordering Books for Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
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Notes About The Literary Touchstone Classics Edition of Ethan Frome
We think the Literary Touchstone Classic edition of Ethan Frome is the best for classroom use. These affordable editions of beloved works are designed by former educators with the needs of both teachers and students in mind.
To help students fully understand the classic work they're studying, every Literary Touchstone Classic includes pre-reading notes that cite important aspects of the text that students should examine and question while reading. Each book also contains an extensive vocabulary list and a glossary that explains unfamiliar allusions and challenging passages.
If you're looking for books that will last for years, Literary Touchstone Classics fit the bill. Sturdy bindings and high-quality paper ensure they'll hold up to repeated use, and they're made in the U.S.A.
Other Editions
If you need to add onto a class set of a different edition or simply prefer another edition, contact us with the ISBN, and we'll check the availability for you.
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About the Book Ethan Frome |
Set in the fictional town of Starkfield, Massachusetts, Ethan Frome tells the story of a tragic love triangle. The novel opens with an unnamed narrator who is intrigued by Ethan Frome, a man with a mysterious and somber past. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn about Ethan's life. Ethan lives on a run-down farm with his sickly wife, Zeena. Their marriage is marked by dissatisfaction and unfulfilled desires. When Zeena's young cousin, Mattie Silver, comes to live with them to help take care of Zeena, Ethan finds himself drawn to Mattie's youthful energy and charm. The tension between Ethan and Mattie grows as their feelings for each other deepen. However, their love is constrained by societal expectations and moral dilemmas. The climax of the novel occurs when Ethan and Mattie, in a desperate attempt to escape their circumstances, decide to sled into a tree to end their lives. The plan fails, leaving Mattie paralyzed and Ethan severely injured. The novel concludes with the narrator discovering that Mattie, now a bitter and sickly woman, is being cared for by Zeena, who has taken on a more assertive role in the household. The story of Ethan Frome is a poignant exploration of duty, desire, and the harsh realities of rural life.
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Themes in the book Ethan Frome |
Isolation and Loneliness: One of the central themes of Ethan Frome is isolation. The harsh winter landscape of Starkfield mirrors Ethan's own sense of entrapment and solitude. Both Ethan and Mattie experience profound loneliness, which ultimately leads to their tragic decisions. Duty and Morality: The novel examines the conflict between personal desires and moral obligations. Ethan's sense of duty to his wife Zeena keeps him from pursuing a life with Mattie, highlighting the struggle between societal expectations and individual happiness. The Power of Environment: Wharton uses the setting of Starkfield to emphasize how environment shapes and constrains the characters' lives. The oppressive winter weather reflects the bleakness and stagnation of Ethan’s existence and the inevitability of his fate. The Tragic Flaw: In true tragic fashion, Ethan's inability to act decisively and his tendency to be swayed by others' needs over his own desires lead to his downfall. His tragedy is compounded by his good nature and the reader's empathy for his situation.
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Activity Ideas for the book Ethan Frome |
Character Analysis: Have students analyze the complexities of Ethan, Zeena, and Mattie. Discuss how each character's actions and motivations contribute to the novel’s tragic outcome. Societal Context: Discuss the historical and societal context of the novel. How do the expectations of early 20th-century rural America influence the characters' decisions? Compare and contrast these societal norms with those of today. Symbolism and Imagery: Analyze Wharton’s use of symbolism and imagery, such as the stark winter landscape, the color red, and the broken pickle dish. Have students create visual representations of these symbols and discuss their significance in the novel. Creative Writing: Invite students to write an alternate ending for Ethan Frome. How would the story change if Ethan and Mattie had successfully escaped? What might their lives have looked like? Discussion and Debate: Host a class debate on the ethical and moral decisions made by the characters. Was Ethan right to stay with Zeena? Could there have been another solution for Ethan and Mattie?
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