Symbolic Colors in Ethan Frome - 2470 Words

Rough Draft: Ethan’s Colors Symbolism approach to interpretation has so many possibilities—so many paths to consider! An exciting approach to interpretation and criticism, comparable to hunting, finding the symbols, an object or image that, although interesting in its own right, stands for or suggests something larger and more complex—often an idea or a range of interrelated ideas, attitudes, and practices (Murfin amp; Ray 391), practiced by finding the repetition of colors throughout Edith Wharton’s Ethan Frome became the adventure. Within the pages of the novel, repetition of colors reveal themselves and critic’s interpretations discussed. Symbolism The color white can have many connotations. According to the Dictionary of Literary†¦show more content†¦In association with Ethan’s obsession, Mattie, Wharton uses the color to describe her attributes such as her â€Å"cherry coloured scarf†(Wharton 15) and â€Å"colour of the cherry scarf in her fresh lips and cheeks† (Wharton 28). Wharton emphasizes her â€Å"streak of crimson ribbon† (Wharton 44). What these descriptions have in common includes that all represent the temptation and passion that Mattie represents for Ethan. Mattie description includes having â€Å"flushed red† (Wharton 45), embarrassment may be the first assumption because woman of Wharton’s era were often presented as being demure, however, I find that when Mattie flushes red, a juxtaposition is created between her and Ethan’s wife, Zeena, who is often presented as having a sallow pallor and having now life to her whatsoever. Mattie symbolizes life and health that Ethan desires. Gold, the literary norm for describing the sun, reflects happiness and wealth instead Wharton uses the color red—â€Å"sunrise burned red in the pure sky† (Wharton 30), â€Å"reddening in the afternoon sun† (Wharton 38), â€Å"red sun† (Wharton 74), and the â€Å"sun’s red and of the glitter on the snow† (Wharton 31). What does this mean? What is Wharton trying to convey? She uses the color to portray the sun at all times of the day, sunrise and sunset. When Ethan goes through life, he notices things as they pertain to him, thus, in this situation, representation ofShow MoreRelatedThe Character Of Mattie Silver1743 Words   |  7 Pagesgiving much importance to woman characters in her novels. She started writing before the World War II and the status of women was not the same as it is today. Women were only supposed to cook, clean and do chores around the house. In Wharton’s novel Ethan Frome, the character of Mattie Silver is not portrayed as any other woman of that time. She was different. Born in 1862, Edith Wharton Newbold Jones was brought up within the graceful, wealthy yet conservative, confining circle of New York society, whichRead MoreSymbolism And Symbolism In Whartons Ethan Frome1356 Words   |  6 Pagesbut in Ethan Frome it’s not quite that simple. The author presents the symbols in a way that there are an abundance of inferences that need to be made throughout different occurrences in the novel. To recognize the brilliant symbolism within the novel, you need to think about all of the details within the plot. Some of the symbols can’t even be recognized until the last occurrences and events take place. The author of Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton, uses a variety of symbolism including symbolic and indicativeRead MoreThe Grass is Always Greener500 Words   |  2 Pageshow slight.† Nature, music, and art are all natural sources of this beauty that must be found. Neuroscience, however, indicates that the most beautiful images to men are those of women. Edith Wharton utilizes this concept of beauty in her novel, Ethan Frome. Wharton uses Ethan’s female cohabitants and their contrasting and changing physical appearances to point to the theme that hasty decisions lead to regret. Ethan’s life exemplifies the well-known idiom stating that â€Å"the grass is always greener