Wharton describes Zeena’s physical appearance as gaunt, wrinkled, and sallow-faced . She has false teeth and her hair is kept in place with crimping pins. ... Zeena is seven years older than Ethan.
Who is Zeena and what type of person does she seem to be?
She often appears to be a hypochondriac . In the novel the narrator states that “Zeena, she’s always been the greatest hand at doctoring in the county” (5). If Zeena had the greatest hand at doctoring, she would be able to help take care of herself and at the same time help others.
Who is Jonathan in Ethan Frome?
The hired man on the Frome farm . Powell’s main duty is to assist Ethan in the cutting, loading, and hauling of lumber. Markedly reticent, Powell is sensitive to the tensions between the Fromes but loath to involve himself in them.
What happened to Zeena in Ethan Frome?
We know that when Zeena became Ethan’s wife, she transformed into a sick woman . According to Ethan, she learned how to care for the sick by being sick herself. Yet, when Mattie and Ethan are injured, she miraculously becomes relatively healthy again, and remains so for at least the next 24 years.
What does the L symbolize in Ethan Frome?
Other symbols include the dead vine on the front porch of Fromes’ farmhouse that symbolizes the dead and dying spirits that inhabit the house and its adjacent graveyard, the farmhouse itself that has lost the “L” seems to be symbolic of Ethan ( the house looks “forlorn” and “lonely” ), it stands alone without support — ...
Why did Ethan marry Zeena?
Ethan married Zeena because he was afraid of silence, just as his mother was . The Fromes appear to suffer from a fear of loneliness, which causes them to make poor decisions.
Are Zeena and Ethan cousins?
Yes, Ethan and Zeena are cousins . They first met when Zeena came to Starkfield to help look after Ethan’s sickly mother.
Is Zeena actually sick?
Zeena is constantly going to different towns in search of more remedies. She is not actually sick , but every time she goes she discovers new symptoms. She hears of other peoples problems and begins to accept them as her own.
What does Zeena call her illness?
She is asthmatic and “sickly.” She speaks in a plaintive, whiny drawl. ... Over the years Zeena becomes adept at using her illnesses to control everyone and everything in her environment.
Does Zeena hate Mattie?
On a deeper level, Zeena hates Mattie for the same reasons Ethan is drawn to her .
Does Mattie really love Ethan?
As a young woman, Mattie seems to be truly in love with Ethan . Everything from turning down Denis Eady to declaring her love indicates that her affection for Ethan is sincere.
Why does Ethan believe Zeena is jealous of Mattie?
He thought that someone had broken into the house. What reason does Zeena give for locking Ethan and Mattie out? ... He liked the thought of he and mattie being together. At first he was concerned about the money but then liked the idea of being alone with Mattie for an evening.
What does Mattie symbolize in Ethan Frome?
Thus, Mattie’s scarlet adornments also symbolize her role as Ethan’s temptress toward moral transgression .
Does Ethan Frome kiss Mattie?
Yes , Ethan kisses Mattie near the end of the novel. He is supposed to be transporting her to the train station, but he takes a side route so they can...
Why does Ethan regret lying to Zeena?
what lie does Ethan tell Zeena, why does he tell it, and why does he regret it? He told her he would be getting money from Andrew Hale so he wouldn’t have to take her to the Flats, and he regretted because she would spend more money on medication .
Who finds Zeena a hired girl?
He takes her in his arms and they kiss passionately. He says he can’t and won’t let her go. Mattie is bewildered, and Ethan is forced to tell her that the doctor has ordered Zeena to get a hired girl, which Mattie realizes would force her to leave.
