Ethan Frome is a poor New England farmer who lives a downtrodden existence with his wife in this story of pessimism and tragic waste from one of America's great authors.

A patrician who wrote most often of the fashionable 19th-century New York society she knew so well, Edith Wharton was inspired to write the novel Ethan Frome after spending summers at her home in Lenox, Massachusetts. Born during the Civil War and dying near the start of World War II, Wharton experienced the transformation of American society from a rural republic to an industrial power. Her experiences are reflected in her writing, and Ethan Frome is widely studied at all levels. This book is a systematic introduction to her novel. The guide draws upon Wharton's autobiography and letters to trace her literary and artistic development. In addition to a detailed plot summary, the book gives special attention to the influence of Nathaniel Hawthorne and other writers on her work. It also analyzes Wharton's style and themes and overviews the critical reception of her novel.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into key elements and ideas within classic works of literature. The latest generation of titles in this series also features glossaries and visual elements that complement the familiar format. CliffsNotes on Ethan Frome explores life in the personal prison designed by the lead character, a “ruin of a man” who would rather be miserable with his lot in life than stray from accepted social convention. Following the story of a poor farmer whose devotion to duty and fear of humiliation keep him from tasting happiness, this study guide provides summaries and commentaries for each chapter within this tragic tale. Other features that help you figure out this important work include Life and background of author Edith Wharton Introduction to the novel, with a synopsis and character map Full character list and analyses of central figures Critical essays on the author’s style, choice of literary tools, and use of themes Review section that features fill-in-the-blank questions, quoted passages, essay questions, and suggested practice projects Resource Center with books, articles, and Web sites that can help round out your knowledge Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

A pair of masterly short novels, featuring an introduction by Elizabeth Strout, the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Anything Is Possible and My Name Is Lucy Barton Thought Edith Wharton is best known for her cutting contemplation of fashionable New York, Ethan Frome and Summer are set in small New England towns, far from Manhattan’s beau monde. Together in one volume, these thematically linked short novels display Wharton’s characteristic criticism of society’s hypocrisy, and her daring exploration of the destructive consequences of sexual appetite. From the wintry setting of Ethan Frome, where a man hounded by community standards is destroyed by the very thing that might bring him happiness, to the florid town of Summer, where a young woman’s first romance projects her into a dizzying rite of passage, Wharton captures beautifully the urges and failures of human nature. Praise for Edith Wharton and Ethan Frome “Ethan Frome [is considered] Mrs. Wharton’s masterpiece . . . The secret of its greatness is the stark human drama of it; the social crudity and human delicacy intermingled; the defiant, over-riding passion, and the long-drawn-out logic of the paid penalty. It has no contexts, no mitigations; it is plain, raw, first-hand human stuff.”—The New York Times “Ethan Frome [has] become part of the American mythology. . . . Wharton’s astonishing authority here is to render such pain with purity and economy . . . Truly it is a northern romance, akin even to Wuthering Heights.”—Harold Bloom “Traditionally, Henry James has always been placed slightly higher up the slope of Parnassus than Edith Wharton. But now that the prejudice against the female writer is on the wane, they look to be exactly what they are: giants, equals, the tutelary and benign gods of our American literature.”—Gore Vidal

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A comprehensive study guide offering in-depth explanation, essay, and test prep for Edith Wharton’s Ethan Frome, a fictional novel based on a sledding accident in Lenox, Massachusetts. As a book of the early-twentieth-century, Ethan Frome contains a new form of fiction, as it contains extensive metaphors, intricately placed by Frome. Moreover, Wharton notably used some of her own personal experiences to convey her themes. This Bright Notes Study Guide explores the context and history of Edith Wharton’s classic work, helping students to thoroughly explore the reasons it has stood the literary test of time. Each Bright Notes Study Guide contains: - Introductions to the Author and the Work - Character Summaries - Plot Guides - Section and Chapter Overviews - Test Essay and Study Q&As The Bright Notes Study Guide series offers an in-depth tour of more than 275 classic works of literature, exploring characters, critical commentary, historical background, plots, and themes. This set of study guides encourages readers to dig deeper in their understanding by including essay questions and answers as well as topics for further research.

A Study Guide for Edith Wharton's "Ethan Frome," excerpted from Gale's acclaimed Novels for Students. This concise study guide includes plot summary; character analysis; author biography; study questions; historical context; suggestions for further reading; and much more. For any literature project, trust Novels for Students for all of your research needs.

Edith Wharton’s haunting classic Ethan Frome is set in a small, isolated town in Massachusetts, exploring the depths of human emotion and the profound impact of choices made in the face of societal constraints. The story revolves around the titular character, Ethan Frome, a worn-down and introverted farmer whose life is bound by duty and responsibility. Trapped in a loveless marriage with his sickly and bitter wife, Zeena, Ethan's life takes an unexpected turn when his cousin, Mattie Silver, arrives to help with household chores. As Mattie's presence breathes new life into Ethan's monotonous existence, a powerful attraction blossoms between them. This volume is part of the Mothers of the Macabre series, celebrating the gothic horror masterpieces of pioneering women writers who played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the genre. Edith Wharton's masterful prose paints a vivid portrait of the harsh and unforgiving New England landscape, mirroring the emotional turmoil and restraints placed upon her characters. Ethan Frome is an essential read for fans of classic gothic horror.

Trapped I a loveless marriage, Ethan must choose between his invalid wife and the captivating cousin who comes to help manage the house. One unguarded moment give rise to devastating consequences ...

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Complete Works of Edith Wharton’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of Wharton includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to Wharton’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the textPlease visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles