Wharton's Narrative Technique in Ethan Frome

Wharton's Narrative Technique in Ethan Frome

• Wharton starts Ethan Frome with a visually powerful scene, contrasting the lively, sensory Starkfield church with the frozen world outside.
• This initial scene highlights Ethan's isolation and longing for something more, even as he finds a peculiar fulfillment in observing others.
• Wharton slowly unveils crucial information, building suspense and keeping the reader engaged in the narrator's perspective.
• Ethan's initial attraction to Mattie Silver—a striking presence—is gradual; the reader learns about his marital situation and her relationship with him before their characters are fully revealed, creating intrigue and revealing the illicit nature of Mattie’s presence.
• The introduction of characters like Denis Eady and Mattie Silver is masterful; the reader learns about them through Ethan's perspective and observations, like meeting new acquaintances.
• Mattie is particularly memorable to the reader due to Ethan's focused attention, her vibrant cherry-colored scarf, and the contrast it creates with the mundane winter surroundings. Her scarf suggests both beauty and something more complex, hinting at rebellion and possible wrongdoing or transgression.
• The scarf's color and evocative imagery reinforce Mattie's significant role in the novel's themes of transgression and individual passion.

Explore Edith Wharton's narrative techniques in Ethan Frome. This quiz delves into the initial scenes, character introductions, and how Wharton builds suspense through Ethan's perspective, revealing his isolation and desires. Test your understanding of these literary elements and their impact on the story's intrigue.