Thursday, September 12, 2013

In Ethan Frome, what are the meanings of the symbols of the town name, gravestones, shutterless windows, dead cucumber vine, cat, red scarf?

the name of the town- its pretty much the title, stark and emptiness (field)


gravestones- "I don't see's there's much difference between the Fromes up at the farm and the Fromes down in the graveyard; 'cept that down there they're all quiet, and the women have got to hold their tongues." (the end of the book)


missing L- diminished home; lack of life in the Frome farmhouse "i saw then that the unusually forlorn and stunted look of the house was partly due to the loss of the 'L'"


shurtterless windows- (just guessing) darkness, despair; poverty


dead cucumber vine- "a dead cucumber vine dangled from the porch like the crape streamer tied to the door for a death" forshadows death


kitchen (not sure) seeking comfort; dreams


cat- Zeena's ally; ruin for Ethan + Mattie's relationship


red pickle dish- symbolizes Frome's marriage and Ethan and Mattie's loyalty to Zeena- it is ruined


red scarf and ribbon- life, happiness; and lust i think


elm tree- Ethan + Mattie's relationship- passionate yet dangerous


final sled run- coasting through life; Ethan not able to be decisive


this is the first time ive answered a question on this site haha. i hope it helps =)

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