Ethan Frome: Tragic figure that functions as an instrument of the suffering of others

Unit Four: Ethan Frome In the novella Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton, main character Ethan Frome is a man that faces many disappointments as well no self-assurance. Ethan Frome is definitely a tragic figure that functions as an instrument of the suffering of others in the novel. Ethan Frome overall is a very tragic tale of misery and suffering, and any of the main characters involved can be connected to that suffering. Wharton makes Ethan not only the victim, but the function of all the other characters suffering to truly get in depth with the flaws that Ethan possesses. Zeena, Ethan Frome’s wife experiences much suffering due to Ethan. Ethan spent his whole life never being able to stand up for himself. He chose to marry Zeena for the sole reason that she would end his loneliness. It could have also been the fact that he felt bad that she dedicated her life to taking care of Ethan's mom. Next, Ethan decided to give Zeena a loveless relationship. Never in the text does Ethan show any sort of emotion toward his wife, nor does she show any towards him. Ethan is somewhat awful towards the one in which he personally chose to be his wife. He chooses to go to "work" rather than drive her to the doctor, he decides to pursue another woman who is his wife’s cousin, and lastly, he chooses to kill himself for the sake of his own independence and his “love” for Mattie. Zeena however, can be aggravating at times which causes Ethan to act certain ways. Zeena tragically has “hypochondria” which brings out the cold, unhappy, domineering woman who whines and complains incessantly. Ethan lets Zeena dominate him which shows his flaw of being subordinate. These mistakes eventually lead to his fall. It is clearly seen that Zeena uses illness to get Ethan’s attention and love he hasn’t been giving. Zeena makes it hard for Ethan to show how he feels about Mattie in his heart, because when she comes around, Ethan is blindsided by her thoughts in his head. "...but there was only one