Ethan Frome Prologue

1
Ethan Frome Prologue

• By Edith Wharton

2
The Character Ethan Frome

• Ethan Frome is a quite man, conversation does not
  come easily with him
• He is a poor man that not only has physical
  problems due to the accident he was in over
  twenty years ago, but he also suffers emotional
  challenges as well
• He is a cold man living in a dead town
• He looks older then he really but he seems to be
  stronger than the average person because through
  the difficulties in his life he still manages to
  take care of his family

3
Starkfeilds Weather

• Weather reflects Ethan Frome
• The snow is always there on top of the town.
• The cold, empty town is like Ethan, he doesnt
  seem to have any happy emotions and seems empty
  inside.
• From the horrible weather the town faces, much of
  Ethans land is deteriorating
• It seems as if Ethan himself has slowly begun to
  fall apart, mentally and physically.

4
The House of Ethan Frome

• The house has an L shape
• The L connects the barn and shed to the main home
  signifying the connection between the occupants
  of the home and the ties they have to the land.
• Ethan tells the narrator how he had to tear down
  the L of his home because it was deteriorating.
  This shows how Ethan Fromes older physical
  appearance can be seen even in his residence.
• The forlorn state of the home also shows that the
  farm was not prosperous and that the removal of
  the L signifies Ethans lack of care for his
  land.

5
Starkfield

• Stark- harsh, grim, or desolate
• Starkfield is like a dead town, cold, snowy, and
  almost isolated from the rest of the world
• The name itself clearly gives a good description
  of the town
• The town depicts Ethans attitude, quiet, harsh
  features, and appearing cold in attitude
• It is the place of the accident that gave Ethan
  his disfigured appearance and limp

6
The Narrator

• The narrator is first introduced in the very
  beginning of the novella
• He has an interest in biochemistry which he
  shares with Ethan Frome
• He is trying to find the story behind Ethan Frome
  by referring to people in the town of Starkfield
• He works at a big powerhouse at Corbury Junction,
  after coming up from Florida