Zeena Frome

Ethan Frome

Ethan is trapped in a cold, loveless marriage with Zeena, feeling duty-bound but resentful and emotionally estranged.

Mattie Silver

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

Mrs. Ned Hale

Mrs. Ned Hale and Zeena have a distant, formal neighborly relationship marked by social obligation rather than warmth.

Jotham Powell

Jotham works for Zeena as a farmhand, obeying her orders and maintaining a subservient, impersonal dynamic.

Dr. Buck

Dr. Buck attends to Zeena's chronic illnesses, reinforcing her role as a perpetual invalid.

Michael Eady

Michael Eady, a local storekeeper, has a business-based acquaintance with Zeena, supplying her household.

Andrew Hale

Andrew Hale has a polite, businesslike acquaintance with Zeena, interacting mainly through financial transactions.

Ethan Frome

Ethan is trapped in a cold, loveless marriage with Zeena, feeling duty-bound but resentful and emotionally estranged.

Mattie Silver

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

Mattie Silver

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

Ethan Frome

Ethan is trapped in a cold, loveless marriage with Zeena, feeling duty-bound but resentful and emotionally estranged.

Jotham Powell

Jotham works for Zeena as a farmhand, obeying her orders and maintaining a subservient, impersonal dynamic.

Prologue

Mentioned as Ethan's wife, a chronic invalid who is 'the greatest hand at doctoring in the county,' and whose patent medicine envelopes are a regular sight at the post-office.

I

Ethan recalls her complaints about Mattie's housekeeping and her veiled hints about Mattie marrying Denis Eady; she has noticed Ethan's new habit of shaving daily.

II

Waits up for Ethan and Mattie, confronts them at the door, and shows resentment and control.

III

Zeena announces her sudden trip to Bettsbridge to see a new doctor, displaying her hypochondria and control over the household.

IV

Zeena's absence is felt throughout; Ethan recalls her silence, her sickness, and their marriage.

V

Zeena is absent but her presence looms over the evening through her empty rocking chair and the mention of her return.

VI

Returns home from Bettsbridge unexpectedly early, causing tension; goes directly to her room without speaking.

VII

Zeena returns from Bettsbridge, claims to have complications, announces she has hired a servant, and reveals her plan to send Mattie away.

VIII

Zeena is alert and active, arranging for Mattie's trunk to be taken and questioning Mattie about missing household items.

IX

Zeena is present in the kitchen, reading a book on kidney troubles, and shows no emotion as Mattie prepares to leave. She insists Mattie go with Jotham.

Epilogue

Zeena is the tall, silent caretaker who has borne the burden of nursing both Ethan and Mattie; she is described as cranky but has done her duty without complaint.