The Complex and Effective Structure of Ethan Frome :: Ethan Frome Essays

The Complex and Effective Structure of Ethan Frome People collapse often pondered the reasons for the splendour of Edith Whartons novel, Ethan Frome. What is it that ca social functions this story to be considered an all-time American classic? One journalist quotes a humanities professor at MIT who states that, We turn to Wharton because the truths she tells are a bracing tonic in a culture steeped in sweet sentimentality. The journalist goes on to describe the typical, popular story and how they often have endings where romantic ideals are magically fulfilled... There is much more to Ethan Frome than scarce an unhappy ending to contrast with the m both other stories that have crystalized and sanguine endings. At first glance, the ending of Ethan Frome may appear to be only depressing. In truth, Wharton offers the reader a complex ending by means of the careful incorporation of poetic justice and irony. Although when we are young, we commonly chance upon oursel ves gravitating to books with predictable endings that leave the protagonist and us with what we want, as we mature we produce a hunger for different, more thoughtful or realistic solutions. This is non to say, however, that we can be satisfied solely through the reading of any story that concludes with mere tragedy. The reason why the book Ethan Frome is so widely read is because there is a great deal of technique roll in the hay the element of mere tragedy. Edith Wharton is able to distinguish her novel through the use of irony. Irony has been the defining element of many great pieces of literature end-to-end time. The use of irony dates back all the way to ancient Greece when it was use by Sophocles in the play Oedipus Rex. Irony was also a attain element in many of Shakespeares works and appears in many illustrious short stories. In Ethan Frome, Ethan ends up falling in love with Mattie who at the time seems young and effervescent in comparison to his sickly, deteriorating wife. In attempting to dispatch himself and Mattie from his commitment to Zeena, Ethan ends up causing Mattie to become paralyzed, taking with it her previous, lively characteristics. only the household responsibilities then fall into the hands of Zeena who is ultimately the most quick of the three.