Ethan Frome Symbolism

Ethan From: Symbolism
The novel Ethan Frome is a dramatic story based on the love triangle between Ethan, his wife Zeena and their housekeeper Mattie Silver. The novel introduces multiple themes and conflicts throughout its context. Within these themes of love, poverty and isolation, the author introduces three distinct symbols. The outdoors, bedroom and kitchen come to mean much more than originally believed as the novel progresses. These three symbols highlight the major conflicts that arise throughout the novel.
It is no coincidence that the novel takes place in the cold, dreary town of Starkfield, Mass. The word "strake" means bare, desolate and grim; this not only describes the actual town of Starkfield but also the life of Ethan From and the relationship he has with his wife Zeena. Ethan planned on moving from Starkfiled but after the death of his father and illness of his mother he and Zeena were more less settled in the town. It seems as though the landscape holds ...