the use of the color red in Ethan Frome
Effective use of color is used in every aspect of life, possessing the domination to create mood, tone, and atmosphere. The color red is generally associated with love and happiness. The author of Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton, takes a twist on this concept, by using one of the main characters, Mattie Silver, as a compliment of red. Mattie Silver is often associated with the color silver, bringing forth images of light and warmth against Ethan's dark life. The use of red in Ethan Frome is depicted by Wharton in comparing bleakness to light, in love and affection, and in forbidden passion. Wharton contrasts the life of Ethan Frome to almost every place Mattie appears in the book. Words such as fire, star, glow and shining are repeatedly used in her presence. She brightens Ethan's life and stands out luminously against the dark, cold setting of the story. The color red is often associated with Mattie's lips, cheeks, and articles of clothing. The use of this sets Mattie apart from the blacks, whites, and grays used to depict almost everything else in the book. "She wore her usual dress of darkish stuff, and there was no bow at her neck; but through her hair she had run a streak of crimson ribbon. This trubute to the unusual
Lastly, Wharton uses the color red to show forbidden passion. The love that Ethan and Mattie have for each other is undeniably prohibited. Thus, every chance they have together is spent in uneasiness, comfort, and passion. Ethan is struck more with lust every time he sees her. He often spies on her, as he does when she is spending time with Denis Eady. " From's heart was beating fast. He had been straining for a glimpse of the dark head under the cherry-coloured scarf and it vexed him that another eye should have been quicker than his" (30). Wharton often describes Mattie with crimson lips, which brings out the lust in Ethan's character who, in turn, longs to kiss them. In one instance, when they are alone, Mattie displays Zeena's "gay red" pickle-dish while they are sitting down for supper. Mattie very well knows that the dish is one of Zeena's most prized possessions, yet she persists on using it during her absence. "The two leaned forward at the same moment and their hands met on the handle of the jug. Mattie's hand was underneath, and Ethan kept his clasped on it a moment longer than it was necessary. The cat, profiting by this unusual demonstration, tried to effect an unnoticed retreat, and in doing so backed into the pickle-dish, which fell to the floor with a crash" (85). The shattering of the dish symbolizes and brings out the fact that Mattie and Ethan can never be together, and that th
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Approximate Word count = 955
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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