Symbolism in Ethan Frome

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Symbolism in Ethan Frome is something that plays a big role in understanding the novel. Symbols in Ethan Frome are not easily detected. Looking for symbols can also be a challenge. Symbols in a novel can also connect two things or events together. Symbolism can also make a novel interesting. Recognizing and understanding the symbols can help in understanding the novel. The color red, the pickle dish and other symbols are what helped shape the novel. Cold weather is a symbol that plays an important role in the novel Ethan Frome. It is described in the very beginning of the story and all throughout. They describe Ethan as to have endured too many Starkfield winters. People become very ill there from the harsh winters. Winter greatly affects the actions and behaviors of the characters. Winter and cold weather symbolize the isolation, loneliness, and immobility Ethan experiences ("Ethan Frome" np). Ethan and Zeena's relationship is related to the coldness of the Starkfield winters. Mattie's red clothing and vibrancy bring warmth to the Frome's cold home and only makes Ethan's love for her grow ("Cummings Study Guide" np). The color red is a symbol that describes Mattie and the love she feels. Red has a history. People back in the day had to wear a red letter "A" for committing adultery. Ethan is branded with a mark. The mark is a red scar ("The Color Red" np). The color red on Mattie's scarf represents her passionate nature and the love that Ethan feels for her ("Ethan Frome" Litcharts np). "Red is the color of blood, ruddiness, good health, and vitality that Mattie has and Zeena doesn't ("Ethan Frome." KnowledgeNote np)." "The red things in Ethan Frome are related to anxieties surrounding marriage, passion, adultery, and sexuality as wells as public and private forms of shame and related emotions ("The Color Red" np)." Ethan has been surrounded by death and

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