Ethan Frome is a tragic novella by Edith Wharton set in the bleak, snowy town of Starkfield, Massachusetts. The story follows Ethan Frome, a quiet, burdened man trapped in a loveless marriage to his sickly and bitter wife, Zeena. When Zeena’s young cousin, Mattie Silver, comes to live with them, Ethan finds himself drawn to her youthful spirit and warmth. As his affection for Mattie grows, so does his despair over the life he feels unable to escape.
Told through a framed narrative, the story culminates in a desperate and haunting act as Ethan and Mattie attempt to escape their fate, only to be met with devastating consequences. Wharton explores themes of isolation, duty, and the oppressive nature of social and emotional constraints. With its stark setting and emotionally restrained prose, Ethan Frome paints a powerful portrait of a man crushed by circumstance and longing, making it one of Whartonโs most poignant and enduring works.
