# Mattie Silver — Ethan Frome character guide

> Mattie Silver in Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mattie, Matt

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Snapshot

Zeena's orphaned young cousin, sent to Starkfield to earn her keep, whose bright chatter and clumsy housework wake something long frozen in Ethan Frome.

## Who they are

Mattie arrives as unpaid help in a household where no one has laughed in years, and her presence turns the kitchen warm — geraniums, a dozing cat, a girl singing over the dishes. She is gay, careless, and wholly dependent on Zeena's charity, which makes every glance she and Ethan exchange both sweeter and more dangerous. Her helplessness in the face of Starkfield's winter is the pressure that slowly forces Ethan to choose between duty and desire.

## Relationships

### [Ethan Frome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/ethan_frome)

_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)

_rivalry_

Mattie is a dependent rival to Zeena for Ethan's affection, with Zeena viewing her as a threat and a burden.

### [Mrs. Ned Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/mrs_ned_hale)

_social_

Mattie shares a polite, neighborly acquaintance with Mrs. Ned Hale, who feels sympathy for her plight.

### [Jotham Powell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/jotham_powell)

_professional_

Jotham interacts with Mattie as a fellow household worker, sharing a quiet, functional coexistence.

### [Ethan Frome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/ethan_frome)

_romantic_

Ethan is deeply in love with Mattie, experiencing intense romantic longing and a desperate desire to escape with her.

### [Ethan Frome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/ethan_frome)

_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)

_rivalry_

Mattie is a dependent rival to Zeena for Ethan's affection, with Zeena viewing her as a threat and a burden.

### [Zeena Frome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/zeena_frome)

_rivalry_

Mattie is a dependent rival to Zeena for Ethan's affection, with Zeena viewing her as a threat and a burden.

### [Mrs. Ned Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/mrs_ned_hale)

_social_

Mattie shares a polite, neighborly acquaintance with Mrs. Ned Hale, who feels sympathy for her plight.

### [Jotham Powell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/jotham_powell)

_professional_

Jotham interacts with Mattie as a fellow household worker, sharing a quiet, functional coexistence.

### [Jotham Powell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/jotham_powell)

_professional_

Jotham interacts with Mattie as a fellow household worker, sharing a quiet, functional coexistence.

### [Mrs. Ned Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/mrs_ned_hale)

_social_

Mattie shares a polite, neighborly acquaintance with Mrs. Ned Hale, who feels sympathy for her plight.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/i)

Dances at the church; remembered by Ethan for her wonder at nature and her bright presence in his home.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/ii)

Refuses Denis Eady's offer of a ride, walks home with Ethan, and is anxious about Zeena's reaction.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/iii)

Mattie is shown as a dependent relative who came to Starkfield after her father's death; she has changed and adapted to the harsh life.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/iv)

Mattie hums dance tunes while washing dishes, and later opens the door for Ethan, mirroring Zeena's earlier appearance.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/v)

Mattie sews by the lamp, talks with Ethan, and shows awareness of Zeena's potential disapproval, yet shares a tender moment with Ethan.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/vi)

Quietly aware of Ethan's restraint; waits alone in the kitchen and anxiously informs Ethan of Zeena's return.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/vii)

Mattie calls the Fromes to supper, unaware of the argument, and is the subject of Zeena's decision to send her away.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/viii)

Mattie leaves a note for Ethan saying 'Don't trouble, Ethan,' and prepares to leave the farm under Zeena's orders.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/ix)

Mattie is heartbroken about leaving, sobbing and confessing her love for Ethan. She agrees to the sled ride and reveals she has long wished to be with him.

### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/chapters/epilogue)

Now paralyzed and soured by suffering, Mattie sits huddled in an armchair, her body limp and her voice complaining; she has been cared for by Zeena for over twenty years.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters/mattie_silver
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ethan_frome_se/characters