Ethan Frome Morality and Ethics Quotes
How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl's inefficiency. (1.13)
Ethan is blind to Zeena's perspective. He seems to think that unless he and Mattie speak or show their love, they are not betraying or deceiving Zeena. He notices that the increase in their passion results in an increase in Zeena displeasure, but he can't do the math.
Quote #2
Zeena herself, from an oppressive reality, had faded into an insubstantial shade. All his life was lived in the sight and sound of Mattie Silver, and he could no longer conceive of its being otherwise. (1.32)
Now we understand why Ethan can't figure Zeena out. He's stopped even seeing her as a person. He grew to hate her because she oppressed him, and in the process forgot that she sees and breathes and feels. As such, he fails to see that his behavior is at odds with his moral code. He hates lies, deceit, and hurting people, but he is definitely hurting Zeena by not being honest.
Quote #3
Her nearest relations had been induced to place their savings in her father's hands, and though, after his death, they ungrudgingly acquitted themselves of the Christian duty of returning good for evil by giving his daughter all the advice at their disposal, they could hardly be expected to supplement it by material aid. (3.5)
At least from Ethan's point of view Mattie's relatives (including Zeena) are a rough crowd. They send Mattie to Zeena on the pretense of helping her, but with an eye toward punishing her for her father's mistakes. The "advice" mentioned was probably nasty and barbed, like the advice we hear Zeena give her.
Quote #4
"I've been in a dream, and this is the only evening we'll ever have together." (5.34)
No wonder things go badly. Ethan doesn't believe he deserves or can ever have the kind of happiness he feels with Mattie. The conflict between his desire and the moral code he thinks he needs to follow always bring him to these kinds of pessimistic moments.
Quote #5
"You can't put her out of the house like a thief – a poor girl without friends or money. She's done her best for you and she's got no place to go to. (7.67)
Zeena probably feels that she has the moral high-ground in the situation. And though she doesn't know that Mattie and Ethan have never had sex or kissed, her suspicious are right that they are in love.
Quote #6
"You wanted to make the supper-table pretty; and you waited till my back was turned, and took the thing I set most store by of anything I've got […]. (7.126)
Zeena is talking about the dish, but she's also talking about Ethan. From Zeena's perspective the whole episode is a grave ethical breach on Mattie's part.
Quote #7
And as soon as the doctors said that Mattie could be moved, Zeena sent for her and took her back to the farm." (Epilogue.20)
This is one of the most ambiguous lines in the novel. We have no way of knowing precisely why Zeena takes Mattie back. Some possibilities are pity, genuine compassion, guilt, shame, revenge, appearances, and just having someone to take care of…What do you think motivates her?