Ethan frome 4
Ethan frome 4In Edith Wharton's book, Ethan Frome, the author descriptively portrayed the inner conflict between the pursuit of pleasure and the burden of obligation as Ethan's life unfolded to the reader. As a creative device, she used the bleak, and barren New England countryside to reflect Ethan's frame of mind. The burden of obligation shrouded Ethan's life. He felt obligated to his parents, their farm, his wife Zeena, and her cousin Mattie. Overcome by his enormous sense of responsibility for others, Ethan never had the time for the pursuit of his own pleasures. A life without pleasure, Ethan Frome was characterized by painful silence and despair. The monotonous routine of life's daily responsibilities held Ethan captive to his farm, and unproductive sawmill.
Abandoned by the death of both of his parents, he found comfort in the presence of his cousin Zenobia Pierce. Earlier that year she had come to help him by taking care of his dying mother. Feeling a sense of obligation to Zeena, he married her, even though he did not truly love her.
Driven by a perverted need for attention, Zeena became an "invalid," confined to her bed and no longer capable of managing the household. In desperate need of assistance, Zeena employed the aid of her cousin Mattie Silver. Mattie came to the Frome's household for free. She agreed to do the housework in exchange for her room and board.
Although untalented in the kitchen, Mattie's young and vivacious spirit brought happiness to the house. Finding Mattie's presence refreshing...
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