In Ethan Frome, Wharton has meticulously removed all unnecessary details from her narrative. What remains is a powerful depiction of three characters ensnared in a nightmarish predicament. This novella possesses a timeless quality, as Wharton reveals the torment experienced by individuals trapped in unfulfilling circumstances. A topic for group discussion could be whether Wharton's tale truly has the universality that its proponents claim. Some might not see anything transcendent in this bleak story, perceiving Ethan, Zenobia, and Mattie as being confined to a specific time and place. Discussions might delve into the underlying causes of this tragedy, such as economic hardship, Puritanical values, and the harsh climate.

1. What constrains the lives of Ethan, Zeena, and Mattie more — poverty or moral principles?

2. Is Zeena Frome's illness prior to the accident genuine or imagined? How can we determine this?

3. Is the narrative device of the narrator effective? How does Wharton utilize it to structure her story?

4. How do the setting and weather influence the events? Could this story have unfolded in a milder climate?

5. How do the physical traits of the three main characters hint at their roles in Ethan Frome?

6. Is Wharton's depiction of passion in such a bleak and unwelcoming environment compelling?

7. Discuss Wharton's use of the cat and the pickle dish. Considering their significance in the story, is it important that they belong to Zeena?

8. Reflect on the choices available to both Zeena and Mattie in this novella. Can they be seen as victims of an economic system that is unfriendly to women, in addition to a harsh physical environment?

9. Is Ethan Frome a fully developed character, or is he a figment of the narrator's imagination?

10. Ethan Frome has been described as presenting a daily-lived nightmarish situation over an extended period. Do you agree that nightmare is the right term for the twenty-four years of shared living experienced by Ethan, Zeena, and Mattie?