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Questions and Answers
Questions and Answers
What motif continues to suggest a promise of happiness or well-being for Ethan at the beginning of this chapter?
What motif continues to suggest a promise of happiness or well-being for Ethan at the beginning of this chapter?
light
What gives Ethan's kitchen a 'homelike look'?
What gives Ethan's kitchen a 'homelike look'?
Zeena's absence
What does Ethan dream about as he travels to town?
What does Ethan dream about as he travels to town?
Mattie when he gets back home
What spark in Ethan had not been completely extinguished by the Starkfield winters?
What spark in Ethan had not been completely extinguished by the Starkfield winters?
What did Ethan miss when he returned to Starkfield from Worcester?
What did Ethan miss when he returned to Starkfield from Worcester?
What did Ethan's mother tell him she was listening to?
What did Ethan's mother tell him she was listening to?
Why is Ethan initially drawn to Zeena?
Why is Ethan initially drawn to Zeena?
Why does Ethan enjoy Zeena's orders (at first)?
Why does Ethan enjoy Zeena's orders (at first)?
Ethan's love of nature doesn't include which of the following?
Ethan's love of nature doesn't include which of the following?
Why does Zeena want to stay in Starkfield?
Why does Zeena want to stay in Starkfield?
What may be the reason Zeena became sickly?
What may be the reason Zeena became sickly?
What happened when Ethan asked Andrew Hale for money?
What happened when Ethan asked Andrew Hale for money?
What couple does Ethan see kissing as he walks through the trees?
What couple does Ethan see kissing as he walks through the trees?
How is the pickle dish broken?
How is the pickle dish broken?
Why can't Ethan replace Zeena's pickle dish?
Why can't Ethan replace Zeena's pickle dish?
How does Mattie change her appearance for Ethan?
How does Mattie change her appearance for Ethan?
Who visited Mattie while Ethan was away for the day?
Who visited Mattie while Ethan was away for the day?
What gives Ethan the sense of mastery at the end of the chapter?
What gives Ethan the sense of mastery at the end of the chapter?
What is the mood of the scene between Ethan and Mattie?
What is the mood of the scene between Ethan and Mattie?
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Study Notes
Study Notes
Chapter 4 Overview
- Motif of Light: Symbolizes happiness and well-being for Ethan.
- Ethan's Kitchen: Feels homely due to Zeena's absence, reflecting a sense of peace.
- Dreams of Mattie: On his way to town, Ethan fantasizes about his return home to Mattie.
Ethan's Character and Background
- Sparkl of Sociability: Despite harsh winters, a sense of social connection remains within Ethan.
- Missing "Old Ethe": Upon returning to Starkfield from Worcester, Ethan longs for the recognition and camaraderie he once had.
Relationships and Dynamics
- Ethan and Zeena: Initially drawn to her because she cared for his mother, creating a sense of dependency.
- Enjoyment of Orders: Finds a paradoxical sense of freedom in obeying Zeena's commands at first.
- Zeena's Motivation: Wants to remain in Starkfield partly to elevate her status over others.
Symbolism and Significant Events
- Graves in the Cemetery: Ethan's mother was concerned with the graves, symbolizing mortality and looming despair.
- Sickness as Attention: Zeena's ailments may be a way to garner attention from others.
- Money Request from Andrew Hale: Ethan's failed attempt reveals his dire financial straits and dependence on others.
Observations and Encounters
- Ned Hale and Ruth Varnum: Ethan witnesses the couple's affectionate moment, contrasting his own emotional struggles.
- Broken Pickle Dish: The dish, a wedding gift, is broken by the cat, symbolizing disruption in Ethan’s life and marriage.
- Replacement Issue: Ethan’s inability to replace the dish emphasizes his financial burdens and the significance of objects in relationships.
Mattie's Influence and Changes
- Appearance Change: Mattie adorns herself with a red ribbon, signaling her interest in appealing to Ethan.
- Visit from Jotham Powell: Highlights Mattie's social interactions in Ethan's absence.
Power Dynamics
- Mastery Scene: Ethan feels a sense of control over Mattie when she complies with his commands.
- Overall Mood: The dynamic between Ethan and Mattie is characterized by a controlling atmosphere, revealing complexities in their relationship.
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