Ethan Frome final analysis

In the end, Ethan and Mattie's desire to be together has turned into a tragedy. Because Ethan and Mattie know that running off together will not work, they decide that the only way to be together forever is to kill themselves. So, that final trip down the hill was meant to run right into the big Elm tree and they were to die together. However, their plan did not work. Now they are stuck in an old run down farm house with the one person they were both trying to get away from, Zeena, the sickly, ill mannered wife of Ethans'. The irony of their plan is that Zeena, whos health is suddenly better, is taking care of Ethan and Mattie after the accident. Moreover, Ethan and Mattie will be together as planned, just not as happily ever after as they has hoped, but in misery.


My response to the conclusion of this story is shocking. I truely hoped Mattie and Ethan would end up together in happiness away from Zeena. It is funny though how Zeena's health suddenly was well enough to care for Ethan and Mattie. Makes the reader wonder just how devious she really is. However, the fate of Ethan and Mattie for trying to kill themselves instead of being honest with Zeena about their feelings lays in the hands of their own devious acts.