F Bell- Ethan Frome Part II

Ethan Frome's tragic love story is a fairy tale gone wrong. Use specific quotes and examples to show how Ethan and Mattie's relationship does not end up as a happily ever after scenario.


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B Bell- due 12/18

Throughout the story, winter plays a key role. It is said to be a "stifiling force." Many say that the characters have come to represent to the winter. Use specific examples and/or quotes from the book that back up this statement

F Bell Ethan Frome

"The inexorable facts closed in on him like prison-warders handcuffing a convict. There was no way out--none. He was a prisoner for life..." (66).

Throughout Ethan Frome Ethan is continually manipulated by other characters. Provide an example of this recurring theme. Do you feel that Ethan has resigned himself to the fact that he is not in control, or do you feel that he is struggling to assert himself?

B - David, Martin, Due Dec 11

Zenobia Frome (Zeena) is originally protrayed as an old hag. She natters, she nags, and she alienates Ethan by removing the last thing that made his life worth living: Mattie.

And yet, when Ethan and Mattie attempt to kill themselves, Zeena is the one that takes care of them. She nurtures them back to health, just as Ethan had nursed her, and even kept Mattie. This seems a radical change of character for Zeena! Is this actually a change, or was as she this kind the whole time? Find a situation from the novel to either illustrate her previous kindness, or to explain why she would change so completely.