Ethan Frome essays

Ethan Frome essays Naturalism is commonly understood as an extension or intensification of realism. The intensification involves the introduction of characters of a kind... (Baym 1248). The novel Ethan Frome is an example of a naturalist work. Many factors are involved by the author in the structure of the book that relate it to this. The characters, and the deformities they suffer, are one aspect that depict a naturalist work of literature. "Characters from the fringes and lower depths of contemporary society, characters whose fates are the product of degenerate heredity, a sordid environment, and a good deal of bad luck" (Baym 1248). The characters, especially Ethan Frome, experience much bad luck throughout the course of the book. Upon appearance, it was apparent that his body was badly deformed. It often made people who did not know him and his story shocked and left in wonder. There was something bleak and unapproachable in his face; and he was so stiffened and grizzled I took him for an old man (Wharton 4). "The pressures of biology, environment, and other material forces in making people...who they are" (Baym 1249). The same smash-up that left Ethan with a malformed body, also affected Mattie Silver. The other woman was much smaller and slighter. She sat huddled in an arm-chair near the stove...Under her shapeless dress her body kept its limp immobility, and her dark eyes had the bright witch-like stare that disease of the spine sometimes gives (Wharton 118). She is also left deformed after the accident, or the rash and thoughtless decision Mattie and Ethan made to crash their sled. Each characters deformity, in actuality, is a result of or affected by the affair between them. Mattie and Ethan were distorted because of their decision, and Zeena had to deal with her illness while no one cared for her. ...but because they had successfully adapted to changing environmental condit...