Ethan Frome The novel Ethan Frome, written by Edith Wharton, is a wonderfully written novel that leaves the reader both depressed and awakened with the loneliness life often holds. Wharton, throughout the book, uses a lot of obvious imagery to allude to her own depressing life. Uses of sexual metaphors, symbols of being trapped and alone, and a generally gloomy setting make for a very meaningful read. The novel takes place in a small farming …showed first 75 words of 637 total…

…showed last 75 words of 637 total…a man’s worst fears realized. The fact that loneliness can be experienced even though you are not truly alone is a major theme in this book. Even though the story leaves the reader depressed, it does a good job at sending the intended message. The final line, that there isn’t much difference between a Frome living and a Frome in the grave, shows that being truly lonely is as good as being dead.