Ethan Frome

Marlene Springer published an essay entitled “Setting and Symbolism” about Ethan Frome in 1993. Springer scrutinizes and analyzes different aspects of the novella such as the setting and the commodities belonging to Ethan and Zeena as well as Mattie. In this article Springer attempts to prove that Wharton uses symbolism throughout the novella to present and further explain Ethan Frome as a character.

The first point that Springer uses to reinforce her thesis is the setting of the story. She talks of how Ethan is “struck by the contrast between the crispness of the climate and the deadness of the community” (pg 281). The setting of such a barren, frigid Iceland causes the character’s senses to cease and that attributed to their lack of good judgment; when Mattie and Ethan decided to end their lives. Springer argues that the setting imitates Ethan’s personalities and emotions. This can be supported when Ethan begins to take Mattie to the train station and the sky darkens from a comfortable red to a dark grey, which then blends into the rest of his monotone life. “Ethan’s protection from the snow has been given up, and the cold of the climate has come inside.” (pg 283) This quote describes perfectly how Ethan used to fight to keep out the cold, symbolically how he fought to keep going, but has since given up and let the cold go in and let his surroundings overcome him. The snow that has built up in Starkfield and continues to build up is said by Springer to symbolize the mental anguish that has overcome Ethan. The trees such as the spruces and the fateful elm are also prominent symbols in the novella.

Not only is the setting symbolic, but Springer also disputes that the possessions of Ethan and Zeena are significant. An obvious symbol is that of the pickle dish, but Springer takes it a step further to state that the pickle dish stood for life and vitality when held by Mattie, cut conversely repression and distance when held by Zeena. Zeena’s cat is a symbol of Zeena herself. Supporting evidence of this can be determined when Mattie and Ethan spend the night together and the cat keeps “becoming” Zeena.

The names chosen by Edith Wharton are also significant as argued by Springer. The name of Mattie is Hebrew for “gift of Jenovah”. This is how Ethan sees Mattie to be, a gift to him. Zenobia, on the other hand had “become a symbol of ruthless arrogance” (pg 288). The name of Ethan means “firmness and strength” in Hebrew and is what Ethan used to be. The last name of Frome is suggested to serve as a reminder. The word “from” is hidden within the name and is used to demonstrate how the Fromes should be from Starkfield instead of currently residing in it. The last name of Silver is obviously used because silver is sparkling and glistening; that is how Ethan sees Mattie.

Marlene Springer argues her thesis extremely well and her information is presented in a very organized manner. All of her arguments were backed up with information and evidence from the text. I strongly agree with Springer and believe that the novella of Ethan Frome contained many symbols to better illustrate Ethan Frome as a character.