"A little kingdom I possess, where thoughts and feelings dwell; and very hard the task I find of governing it well." Louisa May Alcott sums up the life of almost everybody in these lines. Life, simply put, exists as a conglomeration of the feelings and emotions that each individual carries with him or her. This stockpile of emotions either works for the benefit of the individual, or works against him or her. The emotions of a single person affect many lives, and vice versa. As each day passes, emotions change and feelings transform to create the delicate fabric of life experiences that gives each person his or her unique character. Feelings, however, become too strong to keep under control. One's inner thoughts and emotions bring about actions relatively unusual to his or her normal behaviors. Even though an individual realizes that his or her very own feelings take command, the task of regaining control of their lives still proves extremely difficult. Ethan, the chief player in Edith Wharton's tragic novel, Ethan Frome, shows feelings he cannot control, and eventually becomes damaged by those emotions. He lives the bitterness of his youth's vanished opportunities, and displeasure with his joyless life and unfulfilling marriage. In Edith Wharton's novel, Ethan Frome, Ethan becomes the casualty of his own feelings through the honesty, fears, and affection that make up his character. Ethan becomes aware that his feelings are controlling the majority of his actions, but he remains held captive by what goes on in his head. As he gives up the struggle inside his mind, his own emotions take hold of his life and victimize his character.
Ethan Frome becomes a victim of his own morals by the honesty he displays in regard to himself and the people around him. When Ethan makes plans to escape with Mattie, he originally tells himself he can acquire fifty dollars in advance pay from Mr.