Symbols used in "Ethan Frome" by Edith Warton

Edith Warton's work, Ethan Frome, is an ironic book with naturalist ideas. Ethan Frome, the protagonist, has a secret love affair with Mattie, his wife's cousin. Mattie has come to assist the Frome family with their domestic affairs. Zeena, Ethan's hypochondriac wife, detects Ethan's love for Mattie. She decides to send Mattie away in exchange for a hired servant that will attend to Zeena's sickness. On the day of Mattie's department, Ethan decides to take …

…his financial circumstances and social conventions. He tries to run away from the duties and responsibilities of his life. In the end, Ethan's attempt fails symbolizing Ethan's inability of running away from his troubles. Ethan finally yields to destiny and fate when he says "I ought to be getting him his feed..." This brings the book to a tragic and ironic end. Edith Warton makes readers wonder who really controls our own fates and destinies.