The novel takes place in a small farming town in New England and focuses on the Frome family. It starts with an outsider moving to the town and taking an interest in Ethan Frome's troubles. He wonders why no one in the town helps the poor family in their struggles. He winds up spending a night in the Frome house and eventually learns the reason of the town's apathy.

Ethan, a young man at the beginning of the story, who's mother has fallen ill, has a distant cousin come to help with the caring of the house. After his mother's death, the two marry for the sole reas

on of Ethan not wanting to be alone. The new wife soon falls ill, and Ethan once again feels alone due to the coldness of his spouse. Zeena, the wife, soon calls upon a cousin in need of a place to live to move in and help with the chores. Mattie, the cousin arrives, but her help in less then what is expected, despite the fact that Ethan has become infatuated with her. The pair slowly comes to realize their feelings towards each other, only to find that Zeena has hired a new girl to replace Mattie. Realizing that the only happiness in his life is about to leave, Ethan attempts to run away with Mattie, only to find that his financial situation has him trapped in his own personal hell and he submits to it. However, on the way to deliver Mattie to the train station, they take a break to sled together one last time where they profess their love for each other for the first time. They decide to take their lives together rather then to go on living without each other. The attem

Some common words found in the essay are:
Ethan Frome's, Ethan Mattie, Mattie Ethan, Edith Wharton, Mattie Realizing, Ethan Frome, leaves reader, leaves reader depressed, reader depressed, pickle dish, ethan attempts, ethan frome, wife soon,
Approximate Word count = 663
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)