Zeena in Ethan Frome Essay -- Edith Wharton

Ethan FromeIn the novel Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton, Ethans wife Zeena plays an important role in the novel. Zeena changes Ethan through their marriage, and her illness. It is elicit when we find out that Zeena is actually Ethans cousin. It is questionable whether Zeena is sick or not. She often appears to be a hypochondriac. In the novel the narrator states that Zeena, shes always been the greatest fall out at doctoring in the county (5). If Zeena had the greatest hand at doctoring, she would be able to help take care of herself and at the same time help others.In the beginning of the novel we win how Ethan found Zeena. It was only when she drew toward her last illness, and his cousin Zenobia Pierce came oer from the next valley to help him nurse her, that human speech was comprehend again in the house. After the mortal silence of his long poundage Zeenas volubility was music in his ears. He felt that he might have gone like his mother if the sound of a new voice had not come to steady him (29). Zeena brought Ethan color to his life. She make him more socia...