Ethan Frome Summary
Description
Here you will find a Ethan Frome summary (Edith Wharton's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters
Chapters Ethan Frome Summary Overview
In a quaint, snow-covered New England town, an intrigued stranger finds himself eager to uncover the mystery surrounding a local named Ethan Frome, whose life took a tragic turn two decades prior. The stranger's inquiries about Ethan's calamitous past only yield vague responses, until a brutal snowstorm leads him to spend a night at Ethan's home, where he learns the haunting tale. The narrative took place twenty years ago, with Ethan making his way through the snowy town to a local church dance. He watches from outside, mesmerized by a young girl wearing a cherry scarf. This girl is Mattie Silver, Ethan's wife's cousin, who has been living with them and assisting with household duties. Ethan is besotted with Mattie, a fact that becomes apparent during their walk home from the church. The tension between them is palpable, but it dissolves upon their arrival home to Zeena, Ethan's sickly and suspicious wife. The next day, Ethan is thrilled to find out that his wife is going away for a night to seek medical treatment. However, despite his yearning for Mattie, he is unable to express his feelings, and they spend the night without acknowledging their mutual attraction. Upon Zeena's return, she shares the bleak news about her worsening health and her decision to hire a new, more capable girl to replace Mattie. Despite his resentment, Ethan doesn't voice his disagreement. Overcome by his feelings, he steals a kiss from Mattie, who he informs about Zeena's plan to send her away. Their intimate moment is interrupted by Zeena, who has discovered a broken dish and becomes even more determined to remove Mattie from the house. As Ethan grapples with the possibility of losing Mattie, he thinks of eloping with her but soon realizes the futility of it due to his strained financial condition. The following day, despite his guilt, Ethan plans to bring Mattie to the station himself, taking a detour for one last adventure together. They go sledding and, on Mattie's heartbreaking suggestion, they crash into a tree, hoping to die together. Two decades later, the stranger finds Ethan living with a paralyzed Mattie and the ailing Zeena, stuck in a never-ending cycle of regret and despair. Back in town, the stranger recounts his disturbing experience at the Frome household to his landlady, and they commiserate over the pitiful fate of Ethan and the two women bound to him through the harsh New England winters.
introduction
An engineer (the narrator) spends the winter in the small town of Starkfield, Massachusetts due to a carpenter’s strike. Here, he learns about Ethan Frome, initially meeting him at the post office. Frome is a quiet, intimidating man with a scarred face from an accident 25 years earlier. Intrigued by Frome and his solitary life, the narrator seeks information from local residents. However, both stagecoach driver Harmon Gow and the widow he lodges with, Mrs. Ned Hale, are reticent about discussing Frome. Due to a local horse epidemic, the narrator has to find a new way to commute to his job. Gow suggests asking Frome for a lift. For a week, the silent Frome drives the narrator to and from work. One day, after the narrator accidentally leaves a biochemistry book in Frome’s carriage, they bond over their shared interest in the field. The narrator lends Frome the book hoping for more conversation, but is disappointed. A few days later, a heavy snowstorm hits. Frome decides to drive the narrator directly to his workplace due to a train delay. En route, they pass Frome's farm, and he shares some details about his family's past. The snowstorm continues during their return journey, hindering Frome's horse. When they reach Frome's gate, the exhausted narrator suggests they stop. Frome kindly offers the narrator shelter for the night. They enter Frome’s run-down house where they hear a woman's voice from within. As Frome invites the narrator inside, the woman’s voice abruptly stops.
chapter 1
Late at night, young Ethan Frome moves stealthily through the heavily snowed-in streets of Starkfield, until he reaches the local church hosting a dance party. He positions himself inconspicuously near a basement window to view the concluding dance inside. Unexpectedly, energetic Denis Eady reinvigorates the party, jumping back into the dance floor and encouraging the musicians to resume playing. Ethan's gaze falls on Mattie Silver, his wife's cousin, who's dancing with Eady. Mattie, who's been living with Ethan and his wife Zeena as a domestic helper for more than a year, is dressed in a vibrant cherry-red scarf. Ethan has developed strong feelings for her, due to their shared admiration for nature. However, watching her switch dance partners with ease, he doubts whether his feelings would ever be reciprocated. Suddenly, he remembers a recent talk with Zeena where she insinuated that Mattie might end up marrying Eady. Zeena asserted that they would then need to hire another helper as her doctor doesn't want her to be alone. This memory unsettles Ethan and he falls into a contemplative mood while he continues to wait for Mattie.
chapter 2
As the dance concludes, Ethan spots Mattie and hesitates to approach her. The crowd disperses and Mattie is left alone, wondering why Ethan didn't approach her. Eady, another man, steps in and offers Mattie a ride in his horse-drawn sleigh, but she politely declines his advances. Ethan watches from afar as Eady departs and Mattie walks alone towards a quiet snow bank. Ethan soon catches up with Mattie amidst a group of spruce trees, surprising her and causing her to laugh. They discuss the local sledding hill, with Mattie expressing her fear about a recent near-accident involving a young couple. Ethan reassures her and promises a sledding trip if there's moonlight the next night. As they journey home, Ethan can't help but probe Mattie about Eady. His indirect questions lead Mattie to believe she's about to be dismissed by Ethan's wife, Zeena, causing tension between them. The subject is then dropped, and they continue home. Upon arriving home, Ethan tries to comfort Mattie, and they become closer. As they enter the house, they find Zeena, Ethan's ill wife, waiting for them. She complains about her health, and Ethan attempts to remain downstairs under the pretense of work but ultimately gives in to her insistence and accompanies her and Mattie upstairs.
chapter 3
Ethan departs early the next day for his wood-hauling job, without exchanging words with Zeena. He spends the night contemplating his feelings for Mattie, regretting his missed opportunity to kiss her. He starts mulling over the frosty rapport shared by Mattie and Zeena, ever since Mattie moved into their Starkfield home on her father's demise. Ethan is gripped by an ominous feeling, which he tries to suppress by diving into his work until noon. He contemplates driving his lumber directly to the village, but decides against it and goes back home to check on Zeena and Mattie. Upon entering, he is taken aback seeing Zeena in her finest attire, her luggage beside her. She reveals her unbearable pain and her decision to visit Bettsbridge to consult a new doctor. Quickly, Ethan agrees to her suggestion of Jotham Powell, their hired help, driving her to the train station. His reason being his need to collect cash payment from Andrew Hale for his afternoon wood delivery. However, this is a white lie as Ethan is aware of Hale's reluctance to pay promptly. His real motive is to avoid a prolonged journey with Zeena.
chapter 4
With Jotham and Zeena headed for Bettsbridge, Ethan leaves to deliver lumber to Andrew Hale. His mind is filled with anticipation of his evening alone with Mattie. The narrative shifts to the backstory of Ethan and Zeena's relationship. Zeena had come to nurse Ethan's ailing mother, and her presence alleviated his loneliness. Afraid of feeling alone after his mother's death, Ethan proposed to Zeena. His initial plans of selling the farm and moving to a bigger city were dashed by Zeena's deteriorating health. Ethan, having told Zeena he would be paid for the lumber, decides to request an advance from Hale. After delivering the lumber, Ethan asks Hale for fifty dollars. Hale, citing financial difficulties, politely declines. After some small talk, Ethan leaves to run errands in town. As the day fades, the village is quiet. Denis Eady, in his horse-drawn sleigh, passes Ethan heading towards the Frome farm, causing a brief twinge of jealousy. Ethan spots Ned Hale and Ruth Varnum sharing a secret kiss under the Varnum spruces. They split when they realize they are being watched, leaving Ethan to recall the previous night spent with Mattie at the same spot. Upon reaching home, Ethan sees a light in Mattie’s room. He imagines her getting ready for supper, reminding him of her first evening at the farm. Passing a gravestone of his ancestors, Ethan Frome and Endurance, he wonders if he and Zeena will share the same peaceful fifty-year union. At home, Mattie greets Ethan with the door locked and a festive dinner set. She sports a crimson ribbon in her hair, and has prepared special treats for him. Ethan feels a twinge of jealousy when Mattie mentions sharing a coffee with Jotham Powell. During supper, the cat knocks over and breaks a prized pickle dish, forbidden by Zeena for anyone else to use. Mattie is distraught, but Ethan reassures her and hides the broken dish in a high closet. Confident that Zeena won't notice, they resume their meal.
chapter 5
Ethan and Mattie's evening unfolds in a comfortable, lamplit room, where Mattie cleans up after dinner and engages in sewing while Ethan steps out for a stroll. Upon his return, he finds solace in his pipe and invites Mattie to join him, but an unsettling imagination of Zeena's face replacing Mattie's causes the latter to retreat back to her kitchen duty. They gradually ease into an everyday conversation, touching upon the topic of a potential sledding trip on a future moonlit night. However, Mattie falls quiet when Ethan mentions sighting a couple kissing amongst the trees. Their dialogue sways around their shared, unspoken thoughts— their growing feelings towards each other. They converse about Mattie's possible marital prospects and Zeena's disapproval of her, only to fall into silence. The quiet is broken when Ethan places his hand on the other end of Mattie's sewing cloth, a gesture she acknowledges by pausing her work. The tranquility of the scene is disrupted by the cat chasing a mouse, a sudden reminder of Zeena. This triggers a spontaneous act from Ethan, where he picks up his end of Mattie’s sewing work and kisses it. As the fabric slips from his grasp, he sees Mattie packing away her sewing kit. After tidying up the room and ensuring the fire is out, Mattie says goodnight and leaves, prompting Ethan to realize he never touched Mattie's hand throughout the evening.
chapter 6
Jotham Powell joins Ethan and Mattie for breakfast, their conversation centered around the treacherous weather conditions. The men decide to load the remaining lumber immediately but postpone the haul until later in the day. Once Powell leaves to prepare the horses, Ethan and Mattie find themselves alone. Ethan suppresses a desire to voice his feelings, opting instead to tell her he'll return for dinner. Ethan's town errands involve seeking glue to mend Zeena's shattered dish. He first visits the Eady store with no success, proceeding to widow Homan's store where he eventually locates a bottle of glue. Amidst heavy rain, he hurries back home, hastily stowing his horses before entering the kitchen. On arrival, Ethan happily tells Mattie about the glue. His joy is short-lived when Mattie reveals Zeena's unexpected return. Zeena had retreated to her room, disregarding Mattie entirely. Ethan feels anxious when Powell turns down his invitation for supper. He enters the home with a sense of dread, to find Mattie informing him that dinner is served.
chapter 7
Upon returning home, Ethan finds Zeena in her room, still in her travel attire and claiming to feel unwell. She abruptly informs him of her decision to hire a girl to assist her, due to her deteriorating health. This unexpected expense infuriates Ethan, leading to a heated argument. During the altercation, Zeena brings up Ethan's fabricated story about collecting an advance from Andrew Hale, leaving him speechless. To add fuel to the fire, Zeena declares that Mattie has been a burden and must leave to free up funds for the new help. At this point, Mattie interrupts and announces that supper is ready. Zeena refuses to eat, and Ethan sends Mattie away, promising to follow her. He tries to defend Mattie, but Zeena remains adamant about her leaving. Ethan suppresses his anger and leaves Zeena to rest. In the kitchen, Mattie and Ethan share supper, where Ethan can't hide his unease, causing Mattie to worry. In a burst of emotion, Ethan embraces and kisses Mattie. Stunned, Mattie pulls away, and Ethan insists that she should not leave. Mattie understands that Zeena plans to replace her, leading to a dismal conversation about her future. Ethan vows to defend Mattie when Zeena interrupts, sitting down to eat despite her earlier refusal. After eating, Zeena leaves to find her stomach powders. Ethan decides to step outside, but not before encountering an upset Zeena holding the broken pickle dish and demanding an explanation. Ethan blames the cat, and Mattie jumps to his defense, admitting she used the dish for decoration. Zeena scolds Mattie for her deception and expresses regret for not dismissing her sooner.
chapter 8
After Zeena's tantrum about the broken dish, she goes to bed while Mattie tidies up the kitchen. Once Ethan finishes his chores outside, he comes back to an empty kitchen, but finds a note from Mattie asking him not to worry. In his study, he thinks about his predicament and a local man who left his wife for his love interest. This gives Ethan the idea to elope with Mattie. He intends to leave a letter for Zeena, giving her ownership of the farm and mill. However, he realizes the impracticability of his plan, considering his financial situation and Zeena's bleak future. Disheartened, he falls asleep on the sofa. Ethan wakes up cold and hungry the next morning, with the painful realization that it's Mattie's last day at the house. When Mattie shows up, worried about him, they share breakfast and decide not to stress over Zeena's threats. Later, Ethan talks to Powell in the cow barn about Mattie's possible dismissal but gets an indifferent response. The men return to the kitchen to find Zeena and Mattie at the breakfast table. Zeena enjoys her meal, feeds the cat, and discusses departure and arrival times with Powell. She also ties up loose ends with Mattie while Ethan watches in silence. After his chores, Ethan tells Powell he's going to town and urges him not to wait for him for dinner. He decides to try and get an advance from Andrew Hale for the lumber again, hoping to use the money to run away with Mattie. He hurries to catch Hale before he leaves for work but finds Mrs. Hale instead. Her kind words about his care for Zeena inspire him to continue with his plan. However, he is confronted by his conscience on the way and realizes the deception involved in his plan. So, he slowly turns back to return to the farm.
chapter 9
Returning home, Ethan finds Zeena engrossed in a medical book and Mattie, distraught, packing her belongings. He comforts her, promising that they'll see each other again, even as Zeena demands the trunk be loaded onto the waiting sleigh. Determined to savor the final moments, Ethan insists on driving Mattie to the train station, sparking a heated discussion with Zeena. At dinner, Ethan is too upset to eat, but declares to Zeena and farmhand Powell that he'll be the one to take Mattie away. Zeena is unhappy but Ethan is unwavering. Later, he finds Mattie in his old study, reminiscing their shared memories. Zeena, acting cold, retires to her room without bidding Mattie farewell. Guiding the sleigh around Shadow Pond, Ethan takes a more scenic route, rousing old memories. They halt at a pine wood where they reminisce about a past summer picnic. Ethan wishes to express his love for Mattie, but she cuts him short, prompting them to resume their journey. As the sun sets, Mattie discusses her uncertain future plans and discovers Ethan's unsent love letter to Zeena. Their love for each other surfaces, despite the futile nature of their situation. They agree on the tragic idea of death being preferable over separation. Upon seeing boys sledding, Ethan suggests they partake in their long-delayed sledding plan, offering a slight distraction from their impending farewell. Spotting a sled, they eagerly embark on their impromptu adventure.
conclusion
Upon arriving at Ethan Frome's house, the narrator finds himself unsure of which of the two grey-haired women in the kitchen had been conversing as they walked in. Both women appear impoverished and frail with one prepping dinner and the other huddled by the stove. Frome acknowledges the chill in the room as his wife, who was cooking, and Miss Mattie Silver, the woman by the stove, argue about the delayed start of the fire. The following morning, the narrator finds his way back to Mrs. Hale's residence. Mrs. Hale and her mother, Mrs. Varnum, are shocked to discover that Frome had extended his hospitality to the narrator, which was unusual. Both women are intrigued by this act of generosity. Mrs. Hale discloses that she often visits the Fromes, but very few besides her and their doctors have stepped foot in the house for the past two decades. In the evening, following Mrs. Varnum's retirement to bed, Mrs. Hale shares the tragic aftermath of the accident with the narrator. Recalling Mattie's recovery process brings her to tears. She then describes Zeena's silent response to the incident and her decision to welcome Mattie back into their home once she was fit to be moved. In response to the narrator's questions, Mrs. Hale reveals that Mattie has been living with the Fromes ever since the accident, with Zeena largely taking on the role of caretaker. Despite expressing sympathy and admiration for their resilience, Mrs. Hale admits that Mattie's life post-accident is no better than death. She poignantly states that the living Fromes bear striking resemblance to the dead ones, with the only difference being the silence of the women in the graveyard.
