Ethan Frome Writing Workshop

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Ethan Frome Writing Workshop

• In the novel Ethan Frome, author Edith Wharton
  uses foreshadowing on Ethans relatives
  gravestone as a strategic tool that helps to
  display the themes of the book fate, free will,
  and death. The words inscribed on the tombstone,
  quote, indicate that like his forefathers,
  Ethan is fated to endure his marriage with Zeena.
  Unlike free will, this is Ethans destiny.
  Irrespective of fate or free will, Ethans
  ultimate destiny is death.
• Sub-thesis points
• 1. Fate (p2)
• 2. Free Will (p3)
• 3. Death (p4)

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Example Two

• In Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton, the significance
  of Ethan Frome seeing the grave that had the
  engraving Ethan Frome and his wife Endurance who
  dwelled together in peace for fifty years, (33)
  is that Wharton portrays that this will be
  Ethans fate whether or not he wants it to be.
• Sub-thesis points
• 1.
• 2.
• 3.

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An interpretation

• Perhaps this quote means that Ethan is hopeful
  that his relationship with Zeena is a smooth
  roadno bumps, no potholesand that he can just
  live out his existence with her.
• Perhaps this quote means that Ethans forefather
  did not exert his own free will and get out of a
  relationship that was a painful as Ethans with
  Zeenaand that Ethan has a choice to endure or
  to flee.

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Example Three

• The significance of the gravestone in Ethan
  Frome, by Edith Wharton, was that it symbolized
  the living death that Ethan was living in while
  he was still trapped in his marriage to Zeena,
  everyones fate to die, and the permanence of a
  commitment such as marriage.
• Sub-thesis points
• 1.
• 2.
• 3.