Main Themes in Ethan Frome

Document Type:Essay

Subject Area:Literature

Document 1

Such include the contrast of personal fulfillment as compared to the society and the family among several others discussed in this essay. In Billy Budd, by Herman Melville, the narrator depicts him as a man who is worthy of respect and worth the title of a hero as people bow down to worship the man that they cannot help but adore. Although the feelings of the narrator get exaggerated and sentimental, it is clear that there is so much to be admired in Billy Budd's life. In some instances, the sense of duty of loyalty merges with admiration as the characters try to conceal the lack of love by appealing to duty and loyalty. The major themes in this narrative revolve around the conflict between the evil and the good although the corruption of innocence by the society is also remarkable from various instances in the narrative.

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Throughout the story, the audience comes to a realization that the main character, Ethan is transformed from a young man who is healthy to a man with a severe spinal injury which in this narrative is referred to as "red gash" on his forehead. However, his physical changes give a clear picture of the depths of his inner transformations as they unfold. Her wife Zeena also goes through a series of transformative series as she goes back and forth from being seriously sick and healthy throughout the narrative. There is also the evidence of the American society undergoing a moment of major transformation as it rapidly transits towards modernity. The fictions town in this essay is set just outside the movement which mobilized modernization through technological advancements which remain out of Ethan's reach due to her inadequacies but this does not stop him from his dire transformation.

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A good example is a question of whether Ethan should pursues true love and run away with Mattie or just sticks it out with Zeena, his current wife. This controversial moral and ethical position pits the personal desires of the characters as they face various conflicts whose possible remedies goes against their perceived ethical and moral responsibilities. For the sake of personal adversaries and feelings, Ethan was deeply in love with Mattie and didn't love Zeena, thus running away with her love could be morally questionable. However, in Ethan's moral code, it felt more obligating not to hurt people's feelings in the bid to find personal happiness. The theme of manipulation Manipulation revolves around the life of Ethan. Thus the captain is very careful not to expose the ship to such kind of disloyalty.

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The theme of loyalty, duty, and camaraderie Camaraderie among sailors and the loyalty of sailors to their captain within the ship seems to be the most important thing and the naval world that surrounds the whole story. A close bond is also evident between fellow sailors especially the handsome sailor who is described by the narrator as "surrounded by his proud admiring comrades" and also among sailors and their captain of the "Rights-of-man" who sets bill free. Theme of justice The theme of justice is closely related to duty in this narrative. However, the two may seem similar but loyalty tends to be more linked to the interpersonal relationships. The "Bellipotent" in this story refers to the indomitable power of the society translates to powerful in war.

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