Ethan Frome presents the reader with mixed emotions and conflicting feelings. The sympathy and the hatred that the reader feels toward the characters offers the reader a wide variety of emotional conflicts. The difference between these sensations allow the reader to look deeper into each character and into their real feelings. Edith Wharton succeeds in doing this in Ethan Frome by changing the way that the reader feels about each character as the story develops. This combination of enjoyment and concern about the characters lets reader experience a better understanding of the characters and their conflicts.

There are many sources of disquietude within Ethan Frome. The friction between Ethan, Zeena, and Matt is very obvious inside their small household. Ethan can only see the unhappiness inside his relationship with Zeena, her complaining and whining. Matt is lost in the world, with no one else to turn to, and...