First, using the difference between Ethan's thoughts and his actions towards Mattie Silver, and the difference between Ethan's general attitude the day before Mattie leaves his home for emphasis, the author implies that Ethan suffers from isolation. According to Ethan's thoughts as he and Mattie sit together, it appears that Ethan would like to hold and kiss Mattie in the scant time granted to him during Zenobia's - his wife's - absence. "...An illusion of long established intimacy..." (38) hung between them, as thou

Third, using the difference between Ethan's marriage and Ned Hale's and Ruth Varnum's engagement and the similarities between Ethan's obligation to Zeena and his mother earlier in life for emphasis, the author impies that the society Ethan lives in is so intolerant, that he cannot escape an unhappy marriage. Ruth and Ned seem like very happy lovers, as the steal a kiss under trees when they believe no one watches; Zeena, in contrast, goes to bed immediately after dinner, and Ethan refuses to even look at her repulsive form when he crawls into bed. This contrast highlights that his society cheats Ethan out of a fulfilling marriage. Then, just as Ethan could not travel abroad and pursue love because of his obligation to his mother, Zeena uses his obligation towards herself to restrict him from travelling and does not show him love either. Ethan's selflessness, and society's negative attitude toward taking care

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 617
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)