Individualism Versus Naturalism in Wharton's Ethan Frome

Wharton sets Ethan Frome in Starkfield, a place that is by her own description both harsh and beautiful. Stark implies an uninviting environment that is cold and desolate. Field however suggests an environment that is ready for growth. She is careful to point out that not everyone who is born into this environment is trapped when she says that most of the smart ones got away (p.13). Everyone born into this environment is not stuck; they can chose to move away. After presenting Ethan to us we are left to wonder if he was unable to get away because of his circumstances, or if he was simply not smart enough with his decision making to get away. Ethan can be viewed two ways, either as a victim of naturalism, or an individualist. Naturalism is the idea that your environment shapes you life, and your decisions matter less. Individualism is the idea of free will, the ability to control your own destiny with your decisions. Wharton presents us three key junctures in Ethan's life, First is in the bedroom when Zeena tells Ethan that Mattie has to leave, Second is in the study when Ethan composes his undelivered letter to Zeena, and finally on the sled when Ethan drives for the Elm tree.

Zeena hatches a plan to dispense of Mattie and trap Ethan forever when she wants to bring in hired help. In the bedroom confrontation Ethan decides to take a stand and not let Zeena take Mattie, however she shuts down Ethan's wishes when she says, " I know well enough what they say of my having kep' her here as long as I have." (p.94) At this point Ethan realizes that he cannot win with Zeena. Instead of retorting to Zeena that he does not care what other people think about their life, he allows her to make the final decision about Mattie. Ethan merely needed to stand up and be the turn of the 20th century man that he was and take a stand with his wife. However he fails to make this simple choice. Instead he allows Zeena to get to him. This leaves him feeling outmaneuvered and desperate.