Home > Ethan Frome Summary & Study Guide > Ethan Frome Group > Discussion Board

Why was Ethan Frome a strong person (character) ?

When the narrator first comes to Starkfield, he is struck by the “careless powerful look” that Ethan Frome possesses in spite of his crippled body. Clearly, Ethan possesses great physical strength, which coexists with a strong, well-formed conscience—he is undeniably a good person. Nevertheless, he seems to lack inner strength; his story stands as an illustration of the way that a person can be mastered by, rather than a master of, circumstances. He fails to realize any of his desires, and although one can hardly blame him for it, one feels that Ethan must nevertheless bear some responsibility—for allowing Zeena's illness to crush his desire to leave Starkfield, and then for never daring to break with convention and with his wife in the name of his romantic passions. The only proactive deed he undertakes is the final sled ride. Yet even this has been pushed on him by Mattie—and suicide represents what is ultimately only a continued passivity. Unable to face the consequences of any actual decision, Ethan lets Mattie make a choice for him; and although his is the deed that seals that choice, it is a choice to end all choices.

This is from sparknotes website

Not in my opinion!

He basically does whatever the women in his life tell him to do...including to attempt suicide!

People generally consider him to be spineless and weak--he basically wants to cheat on his very ill wife!

Not the nicest guy!

Enotes has great resources on this novel and I've included the links for you below! :)

Ethan is strong in that he endures such misery and deprivation for so long without losing his mind or violating his own moral principles. Ethan is strong in that he denies his own emotional and intellectual needs and puts aside his own dreams to take care of others at his personal expense. And he is strong in that he works hard every day to meet his responsibilities and eke out a meager living on the the family farm he inherited, just as it was inherited by his father before him. In other words, Ethan finds the strength to sacrifice his own spirit in order to live a "decent" life, as defined by his society and his heritage. Ethan is a prisoner of his own conscience, but he is strong enough to endure his incarceration, until Mattie comes into his life.

Well put, mshurn. I agree that he is strong, but not courageous. He lacks that American spirit to strike out on his own, however unlikely that opportunity seemed. With the his father getting kicked in the head, the series of events that entrap him control his perceived sense of duty. This deserves to be described as honorable character. He does lack a compassionate side for Mattie, shown by his joy in her desperation. He orders her around with a growl during their evening together and is thoughtless to help her as she clears the table.