# Ethan Frome — Ethan Frome character guide > Ethan Frome in Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Frome, Young Ethan Frome **First appearance:** 0001-ethan-frome ## Snapshot A lame, grizzled Starkfield farmer whose buried longing for a life of books and cities flickers back to life when his wife's young cousin comes to stay. ## Who they are Twenty-four years after the 'smash-up' that bent his body, Ethan still drives to the post-office each noon for a paper he never reads and patent-medicine envelopes addressed to his wife. Once he dreamed of engineering and town lectures; now he is mortgaged to a failing farm, a silent marriage, and the habit of not answering. His hunger for warmth and speech — first stirred by Mattie's laughter in his kitchen — is the fault line along which the whole story trembles. ## Relationships ### [Mattie Silver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/mattie_silver) _romantic_ Ethan is deeply in love with Mattie, experiencing intense romantic longing and a desperate desire to escape with her. ### [Zeena Frome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/zeena_frome) _family_ Ethan is trapped in a cold, loveless marriage with Zeena, feeling duty-bound but resentful and emotionally estranged. ### [Mrs. Ned Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/mrs_ned_hale) _social_ Ethan has a distant, respectful acquaintance with Mrs. Ned Hale, who observes his tragic story from the outside. ### [Jotham Powell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/jotham_powell) _professional_ Jotham is Ethan's hired farmhand, a silent and dutiful worker who helps with chores but remains emotionally detached. ### [Denis Eady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/denis_eady) _rivalry_ Denis Eady, a young suitor, competes with Ethan for Mattie's attention, representing a more carefree and socially acceptable option. ### [Harmon Gow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/harmon_gow) _social_ Harmon Gow is a local gossip and acquaintance who provides background information about Ethan's tragic life. ### [Dr. Buck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/dr_buck) _professional_ Dr. Buck is the local physician who treats Ethan and his family, serving as a medical authority in their isolated lives. ### [Ruth Varnum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/ruth_varnum) _social_ Ruth Varnum is a minor acquaintance from the local community, part of the social fabric of Starkfield. ### [Michael Eady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/michael_eady) _social_ Ethan has a casual, transactional relationship with Michael Eady, the town grocer. ### [Puss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/puss) _family_ Puss is the Frome family cat, a silent companion in the household, often associated with Zeena's domain. ### [Andrew Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/andrew_hale) _social_ Andrew Hale is a sympathetic local builder who offers Ethan credit and kindness, though ultimately unable to save him. ### [Mattie Silver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/mattie_silver) _romantic_ Ethan is deeply in love with Mattie, experiencing intense romantic longing and a desperate desire to escape with her. ## In the story ### [Ethan Frome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/ethan-frome) Introduced as a crippled, silent man with a tragic past, observed by the narrator in Starkfield. ### [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/prologue) First seen as a 'ruin of a man,' lame and grizzled, driving his bay to the post-office. The narrator notes his silent, melancholy demeanor and his buried intellectual curiosity, revealed when he asks about a science book. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/i) Walks through Starkfield to the church dance, recalling his past studies and his communion with Mattie; feels jealousy watching her dance with Denis Eady. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/ii) Hides behind the storm-door, watches Mattie, walks home with her, and faces Zeena's displeasure upon returning. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/iii) Ethan works in the wood-lot, thinks about Mattie, and feels relief at Zeena's departure. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/iv) Ethan looks forward to an evening alone with Mattie, reflecting on his marriage and his mother's decline. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/v) Ethan experiences a dreamlike evening with Mattie, feeling warmth and harmony, but is haunted by the thought of Zeena's return. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/vi) Struggles to hide his joy after the evening with Mattie; attempts to orchestrate errands to buy glue for the pickle dish but is thwarted by delays. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/vii) Ethan confronts Zeena about the hired girl and the cost, lies about the lumber payment, and is horrified when Zeena announces Mattie must leave. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/viii) Ethan struggles with rebellion and despair as he faces Mattie's banishment, attempts to borrow money from Hale, and considers fleeing with Mattie. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/ix) Ethan is tormented by his inability to keep Mattie, expressing his love and desperation. He insists on driving her to the station and takes her on a sled ride. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/epilogue) Ethan is present in the kitchen, his face described as heartbreaking when the two women argue; he has been broken by the years of suffering. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/ethan_frome - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters