Ethan, from Starkfield New England is a poor farmer who is taking care of his ill wife Zeena. "Zeena had always been what Starkfield had called "sickly" " (pg 35). She suffered from asthma and other complications. "People struggled for years with "troubles", but they always succumbed to "complications" " (pg 108.) Ethan felt it was his obligation to take care of his ill wife as they had been married for seven years. "When they married they agreed as soon as he could straighten out the difficulties, he would sell the farm and saw mill and try their luck in a large town" (pg 71). It was believed that her sickness was derived from the "effect of life on the farm, or perhaps, as she sometimes said, it was because Ethan "never listened" " (pg

It is important that one's individual responsibility is taking care of first before attempting to pursue ones free will as it will cause a major obstacles and conflicts if striving to make the both co-exist. Ethan's problem of choosing who he loved could have been resolved if he stuck with his individual responsibility and helped his wife back to good health.

72). Due to this Ethan felt it was his responsibility to take care of his wife. Zeena had been trying hard to get help as she occasionally left town to seek medical assistance. Ethan had "grown to dread these situations because of their cost" (pg. 62). Zeena had always returned with expensive remedies that were promising but never ended up working. Ethan felt his commitment of marriage was enough for him to believe that it was possible for his wife to re-cooperate from her illness and return to a normal life.

While Ethan was taking care of Zeena, it was suggested that they should acquire more assistance due to his wife's health. "Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes' household to act as her cousin Zeena's aid it was thought best, as she came without pay" (pg 32). Ethan "had taken a liking to the girl from the first day" (pg 32). Mattie took pressure and stress of Ethan's workload and everyday chores and basically rekindled his spirit of love. "It was a fact since Mattie Silver's coming he had taken to shaving every day" (pg 39). They both had gained strong feelings for each other but did not want

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Approximate Word count = 1009
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)