you will write your own literary analysis of the novel you have read over the semester using a format similar to the one in the lesson.
Introduction
Novel you are evaluating: Title and Author
The main points about the novel’s plot, characters, and setting
II. Body- Use these questions to help write your body paragraphs
How does the author develop the plot?
How does the setting affect the characters? How does the setting affect the plot?
How do the characters change? What do they learn?
How does that help me understand the novel’s theme?
III. Conclusion
Restate your main points about the plot, characters, and setting
make one of ethan frome
Introduction
Novel: "Ethan Frome" by Edith Wharton
The novel "Ethan Frome" explores the tragic story of its title character, who is trapped in a loveless marriage and suffocating small-town setting. The plot revolves around Ethan's forbidden love for his wife's cousin, Mattie Silver, and the choices he faces that will ultimately determine the course of their lives. Set in the harsh and unforgiving winter landscape of Starkfield, Massachusetts, the novel presents a bleak and desolate backdrop that mirrors the emotional entrapment of its characters.
II. Body
1. Development of the Plot:
Wharton skillfully develops the plot of "Ethan Frome" through the interplay of past and present. Through the use of flashbacks and foreshadowing, the author provides crucial background information that reveals the characters' motivations and drives the narrative forward. The plot unfolds gradually, slowly exposing the inescapable fate that awaits Ethan and Mattie. Wharton's restraint in revealing the full tragedy until the end enhances the impact of the story, leaving readers emotionally devastated.
2. Impact of Setting on Characters and Plot:
The austere and oppressive setting of Starkfield greatly impacts the characters and the unfolding plot. The harsh winters with their biting cold and isolation represent the emotional frigidity of Ethan's life. His farmhouse, surrounded by barren fields and covered in snow, symbolizes his own entrapment within his circumstances. The relentless winter also acts as an obstacle for Ethan and Mattie's love, ultimately leading to their ill-fated decision to sled down the hill, seeking escape from their constraints.
3. Character Development and Lessons Learned:
Throughout the novel, the characters undergo significant changes and acquire new understandings. Ethan, initially portrayed as a diligent and responsible man, transforms into a desperate and broken individual driven by his desire for happiness. His love for Mattie unleashes a passionate side he had suppressed for years. Mattie, portrayed as a lively and vivacious young woman, learns about the harsh realities of life and the consequences of her actions. Their tragic fate teaches them the price of their choices and the unattainability of their desires.
4. Understanding the Novel's Theme:
The narrative of "Ethan Frome" serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive consequences of societal expectations and personal sacrifices. The novel's theme revolves around the idea that individuals who suppress their true desires and conform to social norms ultimately lead unfulfilled lives. By presenting the tragic love affair between Ethan and Mattie, Wharton highlights the consequences of denying oneself joy and passion. The novel warns against resigning to a life of dissatisfaction and sacrificing personal happiness for the sake of societal conventions.
III. Conclusion
In "Ethan Frome," Edith Wharton masterfully weaves a tale of unrequited love, shattered dreams, and the power of societal pressures. Through the development of its plot, the impact of its setting, and the transformation of its characters, the novel presents a profound exploration of human desires and the consequences of denying them. The harsh winter landscape of Starkfield becomes a metaphor for the emotional imprisonment experienced by the characters. Ultimately, "Ethan Frome" serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of pursuing one's own happiness and the dangers of living a life devoid of genuine fulfillment.