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Example research essay topic: Sense Of Responsibility Sense Of Pride - 1,100 words

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In the novel Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton, the main character Ethan Frome is described as a man with a strong sense of pride and obligation to others. This sense obligation often interferes with Ethan's desires for happiness and a fuller life. In a way, he ends up preventing himself from leaving the cold and boring town of Starkfield, which has been his place of residence his whole life. Ethan wishes to make more of his life, which includes leaving Starkfield and finding companionship, however he is restricted by his own character flaws. This paper will describe in detail and cite many events and examples of Ethan's strong feelings of responsibility, pride, and obligation; and will show how these characteristics prevented Ethan from accomplishing what he truly wished. To begin with, Ethan has a strong sense of responsibility towards the people he knows, and believes he should uphold the responsibility placed on his shoulders.

The biggest sense of responsibility that Ethan is faced with is when his parents become vary ill. Ethan stayed with his parents and took care of them during this difficult time. Thus he sacrificed is current long time plans and desires to fulfill this responsibility to his parents. He ended up sacrificing a chance to leave the stark and lonesome Starkfield, which seems to be what his intentions at the time were. Guess hes been in Starkfield too many winters. Most of the smart ones get away.

Why didnt he? Somebody had to stay and care for the folks. There want ever anybody but Ethan. First his Father then his mother then his wife. (Wharton 13).

This quote shows how Ethan's sense of responsibility towards his parents prevented him from doing what he felt would better his life, which at the time was to leave Starkfield. Knowing that there want ever anybody but Ethan, must have further influenced him to stay at home and take care of his parents. Thus, this shows Ethan's strong sense of responsibility which he possesses. Ethan's pride of himself and his family also plays a large role in his decisions, most of which end up suppressing Ethan's true desires and needs. Instead of putting himself first, Ethan prioritizes other people, in order to maintain his sense of pride and duty.

The latter did not know how to begin, but at length he managed to bring out his request for an advance of fifty dollars. The blood rushed to his thin skin under the sting of Hales astonishment. It was the builders custom to pay at the end of three months, and there was no precedent between the two men for a cash settlement. Ethan felt that if had pleaded an urgent need Hale might have made shift to pay him; but pride, and instinctive prudence, kept him resorting to this argument (Wharton 62). This quote shows Ethan's strong pride, which in turn ends up hurting him financially. Ethan prevents himself in this seen from asking too much Hale, and does not plead with Hale to pay him early, which he knows would greatly help him.

The final characteristic that prevents Ethan from fulfilling his true desires and aspirations is his sense of obligation that he feels towards the people he knows. This feeling prevents Ethan from doing what he truly wishes. The best example of this would be his marriage to Zeena, which came about because Ethan felt obligated to Zeena after she stayed to help Ethan take care of his ailing parents. Ethan felt that he owed it to Zeena to marry her, after the hard work and generosity that she displayed. However, it is obvious that Ethan is not very happy at all with his marriage to Zeena, and even seems to regret it.

His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girls inefficiency. Zeena had always been what Starkfield called sickly, and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm. (Wharton, 33). This quote shows a bit of Ethan's attraction towards Mattie, more so it shows his growing discomfort with his marriage to Zeena, and a bit of her growing jealous towards Mattie. The mere fact of obeying her orders, of feeling free to go about his business again and talk with other men, restored his shaken balance and magnified this sense of what he owed her (Wharton 59). This quote is a better example of Ethan's changing feelings towards Zeena. His perception of obligation and responsibility towards her seems to be changing, he is no longer sure what exactly he owed her, and seems to think that marriage was not it.

Zeena, Ive done all I could for you, and I dont see as its been any use. I dont blame you, nor I dont blame myself. Maybe both of us will do better separate. Im going to try my luck West, and yo can sell the farm and mill, and keep the money. (Wharton, 105). This quote shows Ethan's feelings towards the end of the story, concerning his marriage to Zeena.

He has decided to leave Zeena, and has begun writing her a letter concerning his reasons for leaving. This seems to be the first time in the story that Ethan has decided to put himself before everyone else, that is, he has set aside his obligations to Zeena and is doing what he feels will make him happy and more fulfilled. In conclusion, I believe that Ethan's need for a fuller life has been opposed to his sense of pride, responsibility, and obligation to the people he knows, especially to his wife Zeena. These characteristics have prevented Ethan from making decisions which would put his needs and wishes before those of others.

Instead of making the decisions that would most benefit him and his happiness, he has continually put the needs of others ahead of him, leaving himself unfulfilled. This in turn has prevented Ethan from leaving Starkfield, which seemed very likely before his parents were stricken ill. So instead of possibly living a very happy life, Ethan has created for himself one that is lonely, cold, and often times miserable. This makes his life quite ironic, in that he spends most of his time doing good and generous deeds by putting others first, yet feels the repercussions of a lonely life by putting himself last.


Free research essays on topics related to: sense of responsibility, ethan frome, strong sense, sense of pride, quote shows

Research essay sample on Sense Of Responsibility Sense Of Pride

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