Ethan frome book by edith whar
Ethan frome book by edith wharETHAN FROME
"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light." Albert Schweitzer. Ethan Frome who takes care of his ill wife becomes very attracted with his wife's sister and must choose whether or not to express his feelings. Individual responsibility is the obstacle when dealing with ones free will. This will be shown by analyzing, Ethan's choices of individual responsibility and free will.
Ethan, from Starkfield New England is a poor farmer who is taking care of his ill wife Zeena. "Zeena had always been what Starkfield had called "sickly" " (pg 35). She suffered from asthma and other complications. "People struggled for years with "troubles", but they always succumbed to "complications" " (pg 108.) Ethan felt it was his obligation to take care of his ill wife as they had been married for seven years. "When they married they agreed as soon as he could straighten out the difficulties, he would sell the farm and saw mill and try their luck in a large town" (pg 71). It was believed that her sickness was derived from the "effect of life on the farm, or perhaps, as she sometimes said, it was because Ethan "never listened" " (pg 72). Due to this Ethan felt it was his responsibility to take care of his wife. Zeena had been trying hard to get help as she occasionally left town to seek medical assistance. Ethan had "grown to dread these situations because of their cost" (pg. 62). Zeena had always returned with expensive remedies that were promising but never ended up working. Ethan felt his commitment of marriage was enough for him to believe that it was possible for his wife to re-cooperate from her illness and return to a normal life.
While Ethan was taking care of Zeena, it was suggested that they should acquire more assistance due to his wife's health. "Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes' household to act as her cousin Zeena's aid it was thought best, as she came without pay" (pg 32). Ethan "had taken a liking to the girl from the first day" (pg 32). Mattie took pressure and stress of Ethan's workload and everyday chores and basically rekindled his spirit of love. "It was a fact since Mattie Silver's coming he had taken to shaving every day" (pg 39). They both had gained strong feelings for each other but did not want or feel it was right for them to be expressed. One day however when walking back home from the village Mattie stumbled on an unseen object and clutched onto Ethan's sleeve to steady herself. "The wave of warmth that went through him was like the prolongation of his vision. For the first he stole his arm about, and she did not resist" (pg 50). From that point on the both...
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