Overview

Ethan Frome, a novel published in 1911 by Edith Wharton, is a tragic love story set in the fictional town of Starkfield, Massachusetts. The story revolves around the eponymous character, Ethan Frome, a struggling farmer trapped in a loveless marriage to his sickly and embittered wife, Zeena. When Zeena’s cousin, Mattie Silver, comes to live with them, a spark of forbidden love ignites between her and Ethan. The novel explores themes of duty, societal expectations, and the consequences of repressed desire. 

Explore the full book summary, an in-depth character analysis of Ethan Frome, and explanations of important quotes from Ethan Frome.

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