Ethan Frome Week 1_ Notes

Page 1: Introduction to Ethan Frome

• Overview of the setting and characters, introducing key themes and events of the story.

Page 2: Description of Setting

• Location: Starkfield, Massachusetts

• The setting hints at harsh conditions and contributes to the overall bleakness of the narrative.

Page 3: Ethan Frome: Background

• Life in the 1880s for New England farmers:

  • Backbreaking labor with minimal rewards.

  • Women often faced isolation, with limited social engagement or entertainment.

Page 4: Ethan Frome: Introduction

• Narrator's winter experience in a small New England town.

  • The deep snow creates a sense of entrapment and stifles life, contributing to the story's tone.

  • Observation of townspeople as a theme, prompting curiosity about their lives.

Page 5: Description of Ethan Frome

• Further insights into the protagonist and his surroundings, hinting at dystopian aspects of rural life.

Page 6: Ethan Frome: Introduction

• Description of Ethan Frome:

  • A tall man with a noticeable limp and facial scar, suggesting a difficult life.

Page 7: Ethan Frome: Introduction

• Living conditions:

  • Resides on a bleak farm, indicating hardship and apathy towards life.

Page 8: Ethan's Routine

• Daily life and habits are noted, showcasing monotony and a lack of fulfillment in Ethan’s existence.

Page 9: Ethan Frome: Introduction

• Family dynamics:

  • Lives with wife Zeena and cousin Mattie Silver, both of whom are depicted as unhappy.

Page 10: Questions of Existence

• Poses critical questions about the source of unhappiness in Ethan, Zeena, and Mattie's lives.

  • Suggests a desire for deeper understanding of their tragic circumstances.

Page 11: Ethan Frome: Introduction

• The narrator's exploration of the characters’ lives leads to the revelation of a tragic love triangle.

Page 12: Frame Story Concept

• Definition of a frame story:

  • Introduces one story that encompasses another, returning to the primary narrative at the conclusion.

Page 13: Ethan Frome: Background

• Structure of the narrative:

  • Begins with the narrator’s experiences, transitions into Ethan’s backstory, then returns to the narrator at the end.

Page 14: Definition of Frame Story

• Characteristics:

  • The outer and inner stories, emphasizing the outer story's perspective as critical for understanding the inner narrative, particularly Ethan’s accident.

Page 15: Edith Wharton

• Author’s background and its influence on the novel:

  • Grew up in a wealthy family, highlighting contradicting societal expectations, mirroring Ethan’s struggles in isolation.

  • Personal experiences of a troubled marriage serve as parallels to Ethan’s life.

Page 16: Historical Context

• Setting of the late 1800s to early 1900s:

  • Industrialization, economic growth, and significant social changes.

Page 17: Introduction to Naturalism

• Definition and characteristics:

  • Movement emphasizing scientific accuracy in depicting life, including darker aspects of human experience.

  • Highlights how heredity and environment affect character behavior, which is a critical underpinning of the novel.

Page 18: Narrator and Point of View

• Narrative perspective:

  • Begins in first person from the narrator’s view and shifts to third-person limited focusing on Ethan’s experiences.

Page 19: Characters in Ethan Frome

• Main Characters:

  • Ethan Frome: Central character, portrayed as a broken individual with a tragic history.

  • Zenobia (Zeena) Frome: Ethan’s wife, often complaining about her health and circumstances.

  • Mattie Silver: Zeena's cousin, represents youthful hope yet also captivity in her familial ties.

  • Narrator: The unnamed observer intrigued by Ethan’s story, learning through local gossip and his encounters.

• Minor Characters:

  • Harmon Gow: Postmaster who shares local tales.

  • Ruth Varnum (Mrs. Ned Hale): The narrator's hostess, linked to Mattie's past.

  • Ned Hale: Connects to Mattie Silver.

  • Andrew Hale: Ethna's lumber buyer.

  • Denis Eady: In love with Mattie, complicating her dynamic with Ethan.

  • Jotham Powell: Handy man, adds to the backdrop of Ethan's farm life.