Summary:
Everyone's life in Ethan Frome seemed to be crushed by unforeseen circumstances and the realization of poverty. The book brings to light the issue of money in the book, and the effects it caused.
Money has always been a problem for Ethan and Zena throughout their life. Some could argue it was the deciding factor in their relationship. If Ethan had money when he was studying to become an engineer, after his mother died he could have just left to pursue that goal. He wouldn't have felt inclined to stay with Zena; instead he didn't have much of a choice. Money played a key role in their relationship as well. Without money Zena or Ethan couldn't really be happy, also she couldn't get the proper treatment for her sickness; further, they wouldn't have had to be confined to the dull listless life of Starkfield.
When Ethan was growing up he was very much interested in science and technology. He was very intelligent and into his studies, hoping to one day become an engineer and move to Florida. When his mother became ill; however, he had to return home to take care of her. Ethan never had much money, and he had to use his expenses he was going to use to go to Florida to keep both his parents well.
Zena and Ethan probably would have had a normal, happy life together, if not for the lack of steady financial income. A life in Starkfield is not necessarily a desired one. It's not exactly teaming with opportunity, yet due to a lack of funds it's the only place they could comfortably live. When Zena got sick she became controlling and a burden to Ethan. They just stopped communicating with each other. Both were inevitably frustrated about their predicament, yet neither had the will in those times to get a divorce and simply move away; that was not even an option.
When Mattie came about there was a new spark in Ethan's life. With help around the house it perhaps made it much easier for Ethan to get more lumber efficiently, thus increasing the income. Although, Ethan become too enthralled with Mattie at one point and forgot to get the money for the lumber to instead spend time with Mattie. This made Zena very upset. The line was drawn when a priceless pickle dish was broken and Mattie was thrown out, for obvious relationship constricting reasons. While Ethan was dropping off Mattie he proposed a plan to move out west with her and start a new life. They just might have done that, had they money for travel, shelter, and food.
Everyone's life in Ethan Frome seemed to be crush by the realization of poverty of some sort, and unforeseen circumstances. It would be easy to trace back the roots of the money problems, but there are too many to simply pick one. It seemed to be one of the hidden centers of their life. Ethan might have been happier alone, he might have been happier with Zena, he could have had a chance to be happy with Mattie; money is often the root of a lot of disputes and the facades of relationships. Life would have been more luxurious in Starkfield with money, but that doesn't mean life revolves around it, lessons need to be learned without relying on money, and somehow they just couldn't make that work.
This is the complete article, containing 531 words
(approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page).
