The Power of Words
In novels, such as Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome, imagery and theme play a large role in developing the novel. An author's use of imagery gives the reader an idea of the novel's characters and setting. It helps to advance the reader's understanding of the novel and its theme. The theme of a novel is also an important aspect that one must consider in order to have a clear understanding of the purpose or central idea of the novel. Edith Wharton uses both positive and negative images of Starkfield and its inhabitants to enhance the overall theme of Ethan Frome.Imagery can be used in a likable manner making the reader enjoy the setting so that the theme may be elevated. The town of Starkfield is at first described as a cheery uplifting place saying, "The winter morning was clear as a crystal. The sunrise burned red in a pure sky, the shadows on the rim of the wood-lot were darkly blue, and beyond the white scintillating fields of far-off forest hung like smoke"(41). It also seems that whenever Mattie is around, Ethan's view of the world improves. This is shown on his walk home from the church social with Mattie when the narration states, "The night was so still that they heard the frozen snow crackle beneath their feet. The crash of a
On the other hand, imagery can be used to make the reader dislike the same character which can help to advance the theme. Usually, in Ethan Frome, the negative imagery is used in association with Ethan's wife, Zeena. The narrator says, "His wife looked so hard and lonely, sitting there in the darkness . . . "(78). When Zeena explains to Ethan that a new serving girl will be sent for, Ethan sees Zeena as ". . . no longer the listless creature who had lived at his side in a state of sullen self-absorption, but a mysterious alien presence, an evil energy secreted from the long years of silent brooding" (84). In the end, the reader sees that imagery can be used to present two sides of a character, depending on what the author wants the reader to think. Imagery can also help the characterization in a novel whether the character is portrayed as a pleasant, favorable person or a disliked and despised member of society. Imagery, like characterization, can be used to make the reader favor a certain character and feel connected to that character which in turn develops the overall theme of the novel. Whenever Ethan is with Mattie, he notices all of the wonderful things about her. When he goes to the church social to pick her up he saw, ". . . a girl who already wound a cherry-coloured
Some common words found in the essay are:
Mattie Ethan's, Ethan Mattie, Ethan Frome, Ethan Zeena, Frome Imagery, Edith Wharton, imagery reader, theme novel, ethan frome, ethan mattie, , ethan frome imagery, church social, reader dislike, mattie ethan's, ethan's wife, overall theme, frome imagery, imagery reader dislike,
Approximate Word count = 864
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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