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Ethan Frome: Life As A Failure - Example Papers

Ethan Frome: Life As A Failure

Ethan Frome, the main character in the book entitled Ethan Frome, by Edith
Wharton, has many complex problems going on at the same time. His family has
died and he has a wife that is continually sick, and the only form of happiness
he has is from his wife's cousin Mattie. This, however, at times proves to be
hard because of Ethan's wifes interference. Nothing seems to be going in Ethan's
favor. The main theme of the book is failure, and this is shown through marrying
his wife, not being able to stand up to his wife, and his involvement concerning
the "smash up." The first way failure is shown in the book is through the
marriage of Ethan and his wife. He married her because she had tried ...

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a bright light upon his dismal day. He seemed to
have found someone that cared for him, was always happy and could share his
youth, unlike his sickly wife who always nagged him. He longed to be with Mattie,
however he had loyalty to his wife. Being married to the wrong person proved to
be Ethan's first failure. Ethan's second failure was not being able to stand up
against his wife. His wife claimed that a new doctor said that she was extremely
sick, and needed more help around the house. She told him without any discussion
that Mattie had to go. Ethan could not find the words to make her alter her
decision. His wife also decided that Mattie had to leave the next day itself and
Ethan could not do anything about it. It was stated in the book that his wife
had the upper hand in the house by the line "Now she [his wife] had mastered him
[Ethan] and he obeyed her." Ethan just could not find the right things to say
and it was because of his failure of not being able to stand up to ...

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Ethan Frome: Life As A Failure. (2005, August 9). Retrieved January 1, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Ethan-Frome-Life-As-A-Failure/31380

"Ethan Frome: Life As A Failure." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 9 Aug. 2005. Web. 1 Jan. 2026. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Ethan-Frome-Life-As-A-Failure/31380>

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 8/9/2005 02:11:39 AM
Category: Book Reports
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 656
Pages: 3

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