Annotating Ethan Frome
Annotations may be made on post-it notes or written on paper/typed in a Google or
WordDoc. Please note the page number! You need a minimum of 20 annotations. These will
be modeled in class! I’m looking for thoughtful reflection and close reading. Focus your
reading and annotating on the following stylistic elements:
I. Character Development: Mattie, Zeena, and Ethan
- Consider physical and emotional traits
- How are physical traits symbolic or representative of characteristics
- Consider motivations, experiences, decisions
- How are the characters viewed by others?
- How do the characters react and respond to the circumstances they encounter?
- How do the characters navigate and negotiate the social conventions of the time in which
they live?
II. Nature & Imagery:
- Focus on the juxtaposition of light & dark, cold & warmth
- Focus on nature as it parallels character development & action
- Consider how nature functions as a foreshadowing mechanism
- Note Wharton’s use of descriptive language
III. Narration & Narrative Structure:
- Consider who is telling the story, the reliability and effectiveness of the narrator
- Note the use of the framed story technique
- Note shifts in point of view
- Note use of short flashback and long flashback
IV. Realism & Naturalism/Historical Context:
- How is this work representative of this movement in literature?
- How is this work a reflection of Victorian society and values?
- To what extent do we see hints of Edith Wharton’s own personal experiences and
conflicts?
V. Symbols, Motifs, & Themes:
- Symbols: Mattie’s red scarf & ribbon, the red pickle dish, the graveyard (consider why
Ethan must pass by this everyday), the threshold, Trees & the Varnum’s spruces, the
coasting hill, the sled, the cat, the kitchen, Starkfield, Snow/the cold, shadow pond,
money, the cushion, lost locket, hair (Zeena’s & Mattie’s; consider the
contrast/juxtaposition)
- Motifs: Masculinity vs. Femininity, Money and Economic Hardships/Barriers, Cold vs.
Warmth, Indoors vs., Outdoors, Illness & Disability, Darkness/Night vs. Light, Isolation,
Silence, Winter as a Stifling Force
- Themes: Love of natural beauty and connection to nature, Failure of suicide to solve
problems, The effects of the inability to communicate freely and honestly, Fate vs. Free Will:
How much control do we really have over the choices we make?, Romantic love vs.
dutiful/obligatory love and the pursuit of passion vs. duty/responsibility, Society and morality
as obstacles to the fulfillment of desire, The consequences of repression, The necessity of the
freedom to pursue personal happiness, The impossibility of the American Dream.
Annotations are due the day of the test. They may be used on the test- make them good!