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Questions and Answers
What does Mattie do while Ethan warms himself by the stove?
Sews
Why does Ethan ask Mattie to sit in Zeena's chair?
He couldn't see her
Why does Mattie quickly move from Zeena's chair?
She couldn't see what she was sewing
What does Zeena's cat do in this scene from Chapter 5?
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What might the smoke and haze from Ethan's pipe represent?
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Why do Ethan and Mattie not go sledding that evening?
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Why does Ethan claim sledding is dangerous 'on a night like this'?
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What does Ethan mention that makes Mattie uncomfortable?
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Why does Ethan feel constrained about Mattie being in the house?
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Whose marriage do Ethan and Mattie discuss?
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Why does Ethan mention Mattie's eventual marriage?
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What do Ethan and Mattie finally speak frankly about in this chapter?
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What does Mattie confess her fear about?
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What interrupts most of Ethan and Mattie's intimate moments?
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What does Ethan do because he is too afraid to actually touch Mattie?
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What might Wharton's comparison of Mattie's hair to 'a drift of mist on the moon' suggest?
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What are Ethan's last thoughts about at the end of this chapter?
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Study Notes
Ethan Frome Chapter 5 Overview
- Mattie sews while Ethan warms himself by the stove, indicating a moment of domestic intimacy.
- Ethan invites Mattie to sit in Zeena's chair to better see her, illustrating his desire for connection.
- Mattie quickly moves from Zeena's chair because she can't see what she's sewing, suggesting her discomfort in Zeena's presence.
- Zeena's cat sits in the chair, symbolizing Zeena's omnipresence and the constraints on Ethan and Mattie's relationship.
- The smoke and haze from Ethan's pipe may represent the confusion between his dreams and harsh reality.
- Ethan and Mattie do not go sledding as it is too dark, reflecting missed opportunities for freedom and joy.
- Ethan expresses that sledding could be dangerous due to the risk of running into the large elm tree, representing potential obstacles in their lives.
- Ethan mentions Ned and Ruth's kiss, making Mattie uncomfortable, highlighting the tension in their unspoken feelings.
- Ethan feels constrained by the presence of Mattie in the house due to societal expectations and responsibilities.
- Discussion around Ned and Ruth's marriage signifies comparisons to their own unfulfilled situations.
- Ethan brings up the idea of Mattie's eventual marriage to prepare himself for the painful reality of separation.
- They finally speak openly about Zeena, breaking the previous barriers of communication regarding their dilemmas.
- Mattie reveals her fear that Zeena harbors negative feelings towards her, illustrating their precarious position.
- Zeena's cat frequently interrupts Ethan and Mattie's intimate moments, symbolizing the obstacles in their romantic connection.
- Ethan, overwhelmed by emotion, resorts to holding the item she is sewing instead of physically touching Mattie, revealing his hesitation.
- Wharton's description of Mattie's hair as "a drift of mist on the moon" evokes a sense of fantasy and ethereal beauty around their relationship.
- Ethan's final thoughts reflect his regret and longing, as he acknowledges he did not even touch Mattie's hand, emphasizing missed opportunities for intimacy.
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Description
Explore the key themes and events of Chapter 5 in Ethan Frome. This overview highlights Ethan and Mattie's interactions, the symbolism of Zeena's chair, and the implications of their missed opportunities. Delve into the complexity of their relationship amidst the constraints posed by Zeena.
