Ethan Frome

Author Elizabeth Ammons argues that the story Ethan Frome is actually written as a hidden fairytale. She mainly argues that the story is a reversed fairytale that is twisted to become scary, or in other words, a psychological horror story. She backs up her argument using many supportive pieces of evidence. First of all, she relates characters from the story to commonly known fairytale roles, such as Zeena being compared to a witch. She writes, "Zeena's face alone would type her as a witch. Sallow-complexioned and old at thirty-five, her bloodless countenance is composed of high protruding cheekbones, lashless lids over piercing eyes, thin colorless hair, and a mesh of minute vertical lines between her gaunt nose and granite chin" (147). Second, Ammons associates Mattie Silver as being a princess, which is a character that is essential in almost every fairytale. She argues that the use of language to describe Mattie in Ethan's eyes is extremely similar to characteristics of a fairytale princess. Lastly, Ammons asserts that the colors used in this story create fairytale-like imagery among the reader. Each character has their own distinct colors, which is a tactic often used in fairytales to draw children's attention. These methods of support that Ammons writes about, along with many others, help her in her claim of Ethan Frome as a reversed fairytale.

After reading her argument, I would have to say that Ammons makes many valid points. Similar to a real fairytale, Ethan Frome consists of many similar elements. It tells an interesting story, has a message, and even focuses around a villain and other fairytale characters. 

In my opinion, the meaning behind Ethan Frome is that what goes around comes around. Clearly Mattie knew that Ethan was a married man and yet she still decided to pursue a relationship with him. Not only was he married, but his wife was her own family member who took her in while she was in need. On a similar note, Ethan himself was guilty for committing adultery. Although they both deserve the right to happiness, there are several measures that they could have taken previous to forming a relationship, which would have made the situation a little more permissible. Because of their wrongdoing, fate took its course and punished the both of them for going behind Zeena's back and they both became physically injured. Another significant aspect of the story that I would write about is the weather. The weather itself has a huge effect on the story, and without it, the story would be much different and have alternate outcomes. The weather plays a big role in the story, and can be considered it's own character. Overall, the relationships and weather are two extremely significant parts of this story.