Ethan Frome Essay

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In this world today, people all across the world are we are faced with problems of frustration. Some people will be more frustrated than others. In Ethan Frome, Mr. Frome is frustrated by the memories of his childhood because of his ailing mother. However, his wife, Zeena, now frustrates Mr. Frome again in his adult years. Zeena is now ailing like his mother once did. Zeena is also bringing back the awful memories of his childhood and Mr. Frome is now even more frustrated when he finds new love. In Ethan Frome, Wharton emphasizes the stark nature of failed hopes. Ethan Frome is frustrated at the beginning of the story. He starts out as a young man wanting to become an engineer, but his parents are now ailing. “Ethan’s early plans to become an engineer are frustrated by the need to care for his mother and father as well as the farm.” (Ciccarelli 128). Ethan is even more frustrated when his parents die, and he’s left all alone. Ethan struggles with loneliness. He figured that since he comes from a family background of living one hundred plus years, that he might be alone and lonely throughout his whole life. So he marries an old relative, Zeena, who came and helped his mother after his dad died. Throughout Ethan Frome, every character seems to be frustrated with something, and they all don’t know how to deal with it. “The theme of frustration is reinforced by the inarticulateness of all the characters in Ethan Frome.” (Ciccarelli 128). His dad died first and then Ethan had to stop going to school in order to help his mother. In order to get extra help for his mother, his cousin Zeena comes down to Starkfield. When his mother dies, Ethan and Zeena get married. “When his mother dies, Ethan, overcome by loneliness, impulsively marries Zeena Piece, and old cousin who helped nurse his dying mother.” (Ciccarelli 123). Everything takes a complete turn

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