Setting: Starkfield, MA, 1880's-early 1900's V. Point of view of narration: The narrator is a person talking about Ethan Frome. VI. Main characters and brief description: A: Ethan Frome- Ethan is the protagonist of the story. Physically he is quite noticeable, for he is tall, bent, and pained-looking. Chapters one through nine talk about his earlier years, primarily a winter in his late twenties when he is a healthy young man. B: Zenobia "Zeena" Frome- Ethan's wife, who is also his distant cousin, is described as thin and hard. Before marrying Ethan, she takes care of Ethans ill mother. Because Ethan was afraid to be alone after the death of his mother, he asks Zeena to stay and marry him. C: Mattie Silver- Mattie is Zeena's cousin who comes to live with Ethan and Zeena. She is described as short, dark, sweet, and lively. She has feelings for Ethan, and they eventually fall in love. D: Narrator- He is a visitor in town staying over Ruth Hale's house. He describes Ethan's life. VII. Minor characters and brief description: A: Ruth Hale- A long time friend of the Fromes, and gives hints to the narrator about Ethan's life. B: Harman Gow- Harmon Gow provides the narrator with some early information on Ethan Frome. Harmon once drove the stagecoach from Bettsbridge to Starkfield and knew the stories of all the families on the line. C: Denis Eady- Denis provides the narrator with transportation until his horses fall sick. In the action of the story, as a younger man, he is a possible suitor to Mattie Silver. D: Jotham Powell- The hired man on Ethan's farm. Jotham takes orders, eats, and submits to the directions of Zeena and Ethan. VIII. Major conflict: Ethan was a man who had hopes of living a life away from the constraints of farming. When Ethan's parents fall ill and die, he marries an older cousin, Zeena. It is an unhappy marriage from the start. When Mattie comes to live at the farm, Ethan develops strong feelings for her.
