Plot review: The story begins with a narrator learning the tragic tale of Ethan. It is set in the fictional town of Starkfield, Ma and moves backwards and forward in time. The reader learns that Ethan was born into poverty and stunted from pursuing his education by the illness of first his father, then his mother, and finally his wife. Ethan is approximately 28 years old and has fallen in love with his wife’s cousin Mattie. She has breathed new life into the household when she came to care for Ethan’s wife
Zeena. However, societal obligations are keeping them apart. The conflict comes to a head when Zeena discovers that her favorite pickle dish is broken because Mattie used it without her permission. Zeena hires a new girl to take care of her and forces Mattie to leave. As Ethan is driving Mattie to the train station, they both decide that they would rather be dead than separated. Therefore, Ethan Mattie attempt a fatal sled ride that goes horribly wrong. Instead of them both dying they are disfigured and crippled. Ironically, Zeena cares for both of them for the next 24 years.
Characterization: When an author reveals the personality traits of his or her characters

Indirect Characterization: When an author reveals the personality traits of his or her characters through the characters’ speech and actions

Direct Characterization: When an author reveals the personality traits of his or her characters through direct descriptions of physical and emotional attributes
 Examples:

“He was very quiet.” (Direct)

“He ignored her question and fidgeted in his chair.” (Indirect)
Dialect: The language used by the people of a specific area, class, district or any other group of people
Repetition: a literary device that repeats the same words or phrases a few times to make an idea clearer
Foreshadowing: When an author gives an advanced hint of what is to come later in a story
Imagery: is an author's use of vivid and descriptive language to add depth to his or her work
Irony: A contradiction between appearance and reality, expectation and outcome, or between meaning and intention
Please try to find at least one example of each literary device in Ethan Frome. Many examples can be found in the prologue and the first chapter of the book.