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In Ethan Frome author Edith Wharton uses parallel scenes of Zeena and Mattie opening the farmhouse door. In both scenes Ethan was locked out of the house, both nights he searched for the key, but never succeeded to find it. In both scenes the two women come to the door and hold the lamp in the same position. Both scenes are portrayed in total synchronicity. The way Ethan examined each of the women was a difference in the parallel scenes. Although the scenes contained many similarities, they also contain differences as well.
A main difference was the appearance of the two women. Zeena appeared to be very old, extremely wretched and ugly, as well as threatening to Ethan. Ethan said himself that he had never before known what his wife had looked like. The light brought out her puckered throat and her bony projecting wrist. Zeena's body was long and flat chested. Her hair tightly held back by crimping pins, and her face in a constant frown.
Although the lamplight portrayed a negative result toward Zeena, the appearance of Mattie was outstanding to Ethan. Mattie looked more beautiful than ever. When Ethan went to the house he was secretly anticipating being alone with Mattie and expecting to enjoy it as well. Mattie held the lamplight to her advantage. The light made her taller, fuller, and more of a womanly shape.
The light made her eyes a velvet shade, and laid a milky whiteness under her brow. Mattie's body appeared much more of that of a woman. Her hair was tied back with a beautiful, elegant crimson ribbon. Moreover her attire was more of a womans and she appeared much more grown up. Besides physical appearance, both of the womens moods were varied. Zeena opened the door with a bad attitude and disconcerting mood.
Mattie, however, opened the door with content and happiness to see Ethan, while Zeena felt animosity toward the both of Mattie and Ethan. Another difference of the parallel scenes was that the kitchen had two distinct feelings when the door opened. When Zeena opened the door the kitchen had the deadly chill of a vault. However, when Mattie opened the door, the table was set for dinner and appeared warm and like that of a home. Zeena speaks in a harsh sounding tone when she says, I felt so mean I couldnt sleep.
But Mattie leads Ethan down a silent hall to happiness. At this point in the story Ethan obviously had distinct feelings for Mattie. The way he gets jealous when he finds Denis Eady over the house. Or the way he sees her in such beautiful ways, such as in the parallel scenes. Or even the way he holds her hand when walking back to the house. The parallel scenes contrasted many similarities and differences and overland a view of the continuing story.
By the time the scenes description was over, it was concluded that Mattie made the difference in Ethan Fromes life. Bibliography:
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Research essay sample on Opened The Door Zeena Opened The Door Ethan
