Why does ethan marry zeena

Who is the narrator in Ethan Frome? Harmon Gow. Kristof Crone Reviewer. Who is Zeena in Ethan Frome? Zenobia "Zeena" Frome is Ethan's cousin and wife. Zeena first came to live on the Frome farm to help care for Ethan's parents. When they both died Ethan felt indebted to Zeena and asked her to stay as his wife.

Esaul Reviewer. What is the smash up in Ethan Frome? Because they fall in love and Ethan's wife insists that Mattie move out, the couple decides they want to stay together forever. Jacki Achtznick Reviewer. What is ironic about the ending of Ethan Frome? The most obvious examples are found within the ending of the novel. It is great situational irony that Ethan intends to commit suicide with Mattie, but ends up merely crippling both of them.

It is ironic that the once very feeble and sickly Zeena is now the strong and capable woman at the end of the novel. Vickey Valent Reviewer. Who drives Zeena? Ethan rapidly agrees to let Jotham Powell, the guy who works for him, drive Zeena. Ethan is looking at Mattie while Zeena is talking to him, but manages to tear his eyes away and face his wife.

Zeena is only thirty-five to Ethan's twenty-eight, but "she [is] already an old woman" 3. Ask A Question. Co-authors: Updated On: 17th June, Views: Similar Asks. Why had Ethan planted geraniums during the summer? What does the sawmill represent in Ethan Frome? What does winter symbolize in Ethan Frome?

Why did Ethan marry Zeena? How is the ending of Ethan Frome ironic? Does Ethan Frome kiss Mattie? Does Mattie really love Ethan? Does Ethan Frome die? Are Ethan and Zeena cousins? Is Zeena sick? Do Mattie and Ethan end up together? Why does Ethan regret lying to Zeena? Did Ethan die at the end of Ethan Frome? How old is Zeena Frome? Everything you need for every book you read.

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Ethan looks forward to an evening alone with Mattie , and recalls how warm and inviting the kitchen was in the days when his mother was alive. He remembers that his mother had been a "talker," until her illness, when she fell silent and began to hear voices. When Zenobia Pierce , his cousin, came to help nurse his mother, Ethan was grateful for the company and conversation, and when his mother died, rather than being alone again he asked Zeena to marry him.

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. Ethan associates Mattie with his mother, who unlike Zeena makes the farmhouse kitchen a warm and inviting place. Active Themes. Determinism and Free Will. Related Quotes with Explanations. When they married, Zeena and Ethan agreed that they would sell the farm and saw-mill and move to a larger town, where Ethan would become an engineer.

But no one wanted to buy the farm, and as they waited for a year Zeena developed her "sickliness," making any move to a larger town impossible, though Ethan suspects Zeena's illness may be imagined or faked.

Ethan's passivity causes him to accept setbacks too easily. Though he suspects Zeena of faking her illness, he uses it as an excuse to do nothing. Wharton implies that Zeena got "ill" because she couldn't bear moving to a larger town where Ethan would be out of her control. After a while, Zeena had stopped talking almost entirely, except to complain. Ethan wonders if Zeena is going crazy like his mother and many other women who lived on isolated farms.

Themes Motifs Symbols. Important Quotes Explained. Mini Essays Suggested Essay Topics. Summary Chapter iv. Page 1 Page 2. Previous section Chapter iii Next page Chapter iv page 2.

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