Ethan Frome

1
Ethan Frome

• By Edith Wharton

2
Setting

• Starkfield, MA
• 1911
• Small villlage
• Post office-signifies its a small town, and its
  the main center of communication
• Long distance, written communication, can add to
  bitterness of the town
• Also closed during winter, which means no
  communication to anyone anywhere, isolating the
  town

3
Setting Continued

• The secluded, cold winters reflect the cold heart
  of the town
• All other towns have recreation such as Y.M.C.A.,
  but Starkfield doesnt during the winter
• The town shuts down during the winter

4
The Village (Starkfield)

• Beautiful winters to those who dont live there,
  but not to those who live there
• Most of the smart ones get away (6).
• Denizens of Starkfield believe the town is death
  itself
• Those who want a life will leave in order to
  achieve their goals
• Small town, gossip spreads quickly
• Secluded and bitter
• Get two or more feet of snow every winter
• Inactive, gloomy, unwelcoming

5
Ethans Appearance

• Scar on forehead
• Hunched over
• Has a Limp
• Looks older than his true age

• Disfigured face
• Stands out
• Looks empty and sad as a result to his emotional
  trauma
• Very tall

6
Ethans Personality

• Sensitive
• Connected to nature
• Reserved
• Content with situation

• Reliable
• Plain/dull
• Monotonous
• Caring

7
Ethans House

• Not L shaped anymore
• Farm not productive
• Took down L

• No connection with farm
• Shows where poverty comes from
• No growth in life

8
The Narrator

• Indirectly mentioned that it is a male figure
• Works at a large manufacturing corp.
• Unreliable source because he cant get the full
  story of Ethan Frome from one person
• Theres something hidden
• The various people he talks to have gaps in the
  story
• The one line that sticks with him is Guess hes
  been in Starkfield for too many winters (Wharton
  5).
• Interested in the science field, carries around
  biochemistry book
• Curious about Ethans full life story

9
The Narrator Continued

• Notices the poverty of Ethan as soon as he sees
  the broken down house