| ethan_frome_split_page_chapters_2-4.doc |
From the Text
“It had been one of the wonders of their intercourse that from the first, she, the quicker, finer, more expressive, instead of crushing him by the contrast, had given him something of her own ease and freedom” (37) character & contrast
Ethan’s feelings toward Dennis Eady (37)
“She answered seriously: ‘I thought maybe you couldn’t come back for me.’
‘Couldn’t? What on earth could stop me?’
‘I knew Zeena wasn’t feeling any too good today’” ( 39). Subtlety of language
“They stood together in the gloom of the spruces, an empty world glimmering…” (40). juxtaposition
“Her wonder and his laughter ran together like spring rills in a thaw” (40). Figurative language, imagery, Realist setting
Discussion of Ned and Ruth (41) character and juxtaposition
“You know she hardly says anything…” (43). Motif of silence; character
Symbolism of the Frome gravestones (44)
“But now all desire for change had vanished, and the sight of the little enclosure gave him a warm sense of continuance and stability” (45). Character
“A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: ‘If it was there for Zeena--” (45). Symbolism and tenets of Realism
“…it was not like Zeena to forget” (46). Character
Juxtaposition of Zeena opening door in Chapter 2 (47) with Mattie in Chapter 4 (71)
“No. I just felt so mean I couldn’t sleep” (47). Double entendre & character
“cherry scarf” (49) symbolism
“How the girl had changed since she came to Starkfield!” (51). Character
Mattie’s background (52-53).
“…they ungrudgingly acquitted themselves of the Christian duty of returning good for evil…[and] saw the chance of exacting a compensation from Mattie” (53). Tone
Motif of silence (53-54)
“His sense of relief was so great as to preclude all other feelings” (56). Character; awareness
“Zeena could not be back at the farm before the following evening….” (56) and “He wondered if the girl were thinking of it too….” Syntax
“At the moment, however, his one desire was to avoid the long drive with her behind the ancient sorrel who never went out of a walk” (58).
Juxtaposition of Zeena’s kitchen versus Mattie’s (59-60).
“There the silence had deepened about him year by year” (60). symbolism
Motifs found within the story of Ethan’s mother (61)
“…his cousin Zenobia Pierce came over” (61). Symbolism of name; compare and contrast with Mattie’s coming
“He had often thought since that [the marriage]would not have happened if his mother had died in spring instead of winter…” (62). Symbolism
“I’m glad to do it for ‘em, but it costs” (67). Pathos
“He reflected grimly that his seven years with Zeena seemed to Starkfield ‘not so long’” (67). Character; reflect on age
“A mournful peace hung on the fields, as though they felt the relaxing grasp of the cold and stretched themselves in their long winter sleep” (69). Pathetic fallacy; paradox
“SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF ETHAN FROME AND ENDURANCE HIS WIFE, WHO DWELLED TOGETHER IN PEACE FOR FIFTY YEARS” (70). Irony
Pickles and doughnuts and red dish (72) symbolism
“…I had to get up on the step-ladder to reach it down from the top shelf…It was a wedding present!” (74-75). symbolism
“It had been one of the wonders of their intercourse that from the first, she, the quicker, finer, more expressive, instead of crushing him by the contrast, had given him something of her own ease and freedom” (37) character & contrast
Ethan’s feelings toward Dennis Eady (37)
“She answered seriously: ‘I thought maybe you couldn’t come back for me.’
‘Couldn’t? What on earth could stop me?’
‘I knew Zeena wasn’t feeling any too good today’” ( 39). Subtlety of language
“They stood together in the gloom of the spruces, an empty world glimmering…” (40). juxtaposition
“Her wonder and his laughter ran together like spring rills in a thaw” (40). Figurative language, imagery, Realist setting
Discussion of Ned and Ruth (41) character and juxtaposition
“You know she hardly says anything…” (43). Motif of silence; character
Symbolism of the Frome gravestones (44)
“But now all desire for change had vanished, and the sight of the little enclosure gave him a warm sense of continuance and stability” (45). Character
“A dead cucumber-vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death, and the thought flashed through Ethan’s brain: ‘If it was there for Zeena--” (45). Symbolism and tenets of Realism
“…it was not like Zeena to forget” (46). Character
Juxtaposition of Zeena opening door in Chapter 2 (47) with Mattie in Chapter 4 (71)
“No. I just felt so mean I couldn’t sleep” (47). Double entendre & character
“cherry scarf” (49) symbolism
“How the girl had changed since she came to Starkfield!” (51). Character
Mattie’s background (52-53).
“…they ungrudgingly acquitted themselves of the Christian duty of returning good for evil…[and] saw the chance of exacting a compensation from Mattie” (53). Tone
Motif of silence (53-54)
“His sense of relief was so great as to preclude all other feelings” (56). Character; awareness
“Zeena could not be back at the farm before the following evening….” (56) and “He wondered if the girl were thinking of it too….” Syntax
“At the moment, however, his one desire was to avoid the long drive with her behind the ancient sorrel who never went out of a walk” (58).
Juxtaposition of Zeena’s kitchen versus Mattie’s (59-60).
“There the silence had deepened about him year by year” (60). symbolism
Motifs found within the story of Ethan’s mother (61)
“…his cousin Zenobia Pierce came over” (61). Symbolism of name; compare and contrast with Mattie’s coming
“He had often thought since that [the marriage]would not have happened if his mother had died in spring instead of winter…” (62). Symbolism
“I’m glad to do it for ‘em, but it costs” (67). Pathos
“He reflected grimly that his seven years with Zeena seemed to Starkfield ‘not so long’” (67). Character; reflect on age
“A mournful peace hung on the fields, as though they felt the relaxing grasp of the cold and stretched themselves in their long winter sleep” (69). Pathetic fallacy; paradox
“SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF ETHAN FROME AND ENDURANCE HIS WIFE, WHO DWELLED TOGETHER IN PEACE FOR FIFTY YEARS” (70). Irony
Pickles and doughnuts and red dish (72) symbolism
“…I had to get up on the step-ladder to reach it down from the top shelf…It was a wedding present!” (74-75). symbolism
Connections/Questions/Reflections
