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Example research essay topic: Tragedy And Symbolism In Edith Writing - 1,022 words

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... ene. Edith Wharton once said this about the novel (Springer 46): The exorable fact closed in on him like prison- warders hand- cuffing a convict. There was no way out. He was a prisoner for life, and now his one ray of light was to be extinguished. Zeena and Mattie are described as two witch-like women that hold Ethan prisoner for life in his depressing world.

Ethan is bound to a life that does not satisfy him. He must now depend on Zeena when once it was he that cared for her. Ethan Frome was written on the idea that humans were prone to a life of loss, tragedy, despair, and confinement (Springer 5). This novel encompasses all of these elements and takes us to a deep place in our soul. Ethan Frome stirs up emotions in people that have never been touched until reading this novel. Edith Wharton stated, A good subject must contain in itself something that sheds a light on our moral experience (Fracasso 69).

This book definitely sheds light on the issue of being true to ones self. If Ethan had gone to college instead of marring Zeena out of loneliness, he might have had the opportunity for some type of happiness. His marriage condemned him to a life of misery and regret. Mattie offers Ethan another chance at happiness; however, Zeena finds a way to claim her property and get rid of Mattie. Zeena's plan only partially works. Ethan is reclaimed, but Mattie ends up living with them as a constant reminder to Ethan of what his life could have been.

Symbolism plays a major part in much of Wharton's writing. Through the use of symbolism, we are given hints about the story. Early in Ethan Frome we are told that the large elm tree is dangerous and should cut down. Two other people were almost killed by hitting it while sledding (Springer 82). Trees are used to represent more than just danger.

Trees of summer are shown as mocking. They are constant reminders of the good times in the past. Trees of the winter are spruces. Spruces are used to provide shelter for Mattie and Ethan who must hide their love (Springer 84).

Trees are usually used as prominent purposes; however, trees in Ethan Frome destroy the lives of Ethan and Mattie (Springer 82). Winter being used as the primary season for the setting of Ethan Frome is ironic. Winter is used by many authors to depict death and misery. Ethan Frome does just that. The entire novel is centered on Ethan's suffering. If the novel had taken place in spring or summer, Ethan and Mattie would have lived happily ever after.

However, this is not the case. The story was destined to have a tragic ending. In order for the novel to have a tragic ending, it must be set in the winter. All of Ethan's memories include snow.

However, the little portion of the novel that is set in the summer describes good times. Wharton connects Ethan's and Mattie's summer happiness with butterflies in the woods. When Ethan tells Mattie that she must go, her lashes beat his cheek like netted butterflies (Springer 84). The butterflies are used to show freedom. Zeena, by making Mattie leave, is the one that netted the free and happy butterflies. Wharton used Ethan Frome to illustrate winter- life on hold.

The direct opposite was Summer- life in its fullness. Wharton called these two novels literary twins (Kellogg 221). One novel is about the joys of life while the other is about the misery of life. In all of Wharton's work males fail their women, unless they are father figures (Springer 21).

Ethan fails Mattie by not giving her the life that she wanted. Tarrant fails his wife and then refuses to give her a divorce. Ethan is also heroic, but he can not break away from his captive life (Springer 30). Ethan is characterized by Edith Wharton's life. He was created to symbolize the pains and heartache that Wharton was going through (Springer 41). Wharton knew what it was like being involved in an unsatisfying marriage, and she used this in Ethan Frome.

Ethan and the narrators world is a world of numbing emotional deadness, of cold, of stark, all- consuming isolation (Springer 79). Starkfield is a community in which all of its inhabitants are isolated. Stark in Starkfield means loneliness and isolation. Eventually, Mattie becomes bitter toward Ethan and Zeena. When this happens, the personalities of Zeena and Mattie are switched. Mattie goes from being sweet, beautiful, and lively to becoming bitter and indifferent.

Zeena was once a hypochondriac, needing care full- time. She was the jealous, possessive, and nagging one. Now she takes care of Ethan and Mattie. She has become giving and sweet, but there is still a little bit of devil in her. The use of light and dark allude to what situations will develop because of a characters moral decisions (Fracasso 78). Moral decisions, along with the appreciation of life through art and symbolism of the supernatural, are characteristics of Wharton's later work (Lovett 9).

Moral decisions of a character will determine what type of personality the character possesses and they will determine the future success of the character In Ethan Frome, many materialistic things possess a different meaning. The red pickle- dish, when used by Mattie, symbolizes life, warmth, and security. When used by Zeena, it represents distance and envy (Springer 90). The cat is used to represent Zeena. Whenever Ethan and Mattie are alone, the cat always creates a diversion (Springer 89). The L of a house serves as the heart of a home.

It protects the occupants from the cold and the snow. The L has been removed from Ethan's house. Ethan has lost his protection (Springer 83). In conclusion, the tragedy of human life and all the uses of symbolism make Edith Wharton's writings unique and special. She combines these two elements and creates extraordinary work. Her novels provide emotional rides as well as a look into a persons soul.

Edith Wharton is truly a marvelous woman. Bibliography:


Free research essays on topics related to: ethan frome, edith wharton, moral decisions, tragic ending, ethan and mattie

Research essay sample on Tragedy And Symbolism In Edith Writing

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