The Narrator In Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome

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THE AUTHOR AND HER TIMES: Edith Wharton was born in the mid 1800’s. By the time she was 23 she married a gentleman named Edward Robbins. Her spouse suffered a severe form of depression that kept them living exclusively in their house for many years. Their marriage was very troubled as Edith and Edward shared little in common. Due to these events it is widely speculated that Ethan Frome is close to being autobiographical novel as one can see through Ethan’s dissatisfaction towards his wife and situation. FORM, STRUCTURE, AND PLOTS: A narrator wonders about the mystery which enshrouds Ethan Frome, a man as quiet and solemn as the town of Starkfield. The oppressive and hostile weather of the small town foreshadows the tragic tale ahead as it spills from Frome’s lips. The narrator uses a structure of a story within a story ( frame story) leading us from a limited 1st person view, which builds up suspense, to a wider 3rd person view as we hear the inner thoughts of Frome. The initial incident (within the novel’s timeline) occurs as Ethan walks Mattie home from church and struggles with his feelings, trying to decided whether or not to show them, eventually he does, as he hugs Mattie in the darkness. The rising action can be seen once Zenobia (Zeena), Ethan’s wife, goes to another town for a few days, leaving Mattie and Ethan alone, much to their not so hidden pleasure. Of course, they feel awkward each attempting to reveal their true feelings, their night together ends gracelessly. Zeena returns from he…show more content…
While other chapters have the 1st person view from the vantage of Ethan and take place in the past. While some parts are in 3rd person it is fairly limited as only the thoughts of Ethan are revealed (limited Omniscience).

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