Through out the story of Ethan Frome, the author, Edith Wharton, uses the color red as a major symbol in the story. Wharton put a twist on the concept of the symbol, normally used to represent love and passion, which is one of her uses, but also it signifies the sinful thoughts and transgressions that Ethan and Mattie think about so often.
In the bleak white New England landscape the color red stands out " the cold red of sunset behind winter hills- (17), just as Mattie stands out so starkly in Ethan's unforgiving life. Red shows the liveliness and good health that Mattie has, in harsh contrast from that of Ethan's sickly wife Zeena. Mattie brings hope and love into Ethan's life with her cheerful glow, giving him new life and reason for living.
Wharton often uses the color red in scenes where Ethan and Mattie are alone such as the one on the way back from town after Mattie's dance at the church. While walking Ethan begins thinking about how much he wants to have more than just a friendship with Mattie, "He longed to stoop his cheek and rub it against her scarf" (23). Ethan's desires begin to surface for Mattie at this time while alone with her. He feels that he cannot act upon these desires because of his need to be faithful to his wife. Even though he did not really love her, she had helped to care for his mother for many years in the past, which had put her into this helpless condition which over the years worsened.
Wharton used the color red again in a major scene with the two alone. When Zeena went to Bettsbridge it became a special occasion for Mattie and Ethan being their first time alone in the house together since Mattie's arrival. Mattie wanted to make it a special night and decided to use the red pickle dish that Zeena and Ethan had received for their wedding and Zeena had forbidden the use of. " Yes, but, you see, she never meant it should be used it was a wedding present that's why she wouldn't ever use it" (44).
