It is under the most repressive limits that the strength of one's character and the ability to challenge and transcend those limits can truly be measured. This idea is confirmed in Edith Wharton's novel Ethan Frome, the story of a young man trapped in an unsatisfying marriage with an elderly, ill woman. Ethan and Mattie Silver, a second main character and the object of Ethan's affection, both react to the oppressive environment and the power of local conventions very differently in their never-ending battle to stay together. Ethan falls victim to the power of local conventions while Mattie shows her tireless spirit and challenges social norms. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayEthan Frome, the novel's protagonist, is an unhappy young man who is trapped in the dilemma of whether to remain faithful to his wife and prolong his misery, or pursue his passion for Mattie. His dilemma occurs due to the struggle between his passions and the constraints imposed by the public. Ultimately, Ethan lacks the inner strength needed to escape the oppressive forces of his environment, his wife, and convention. One of the first examples of Ethan's moral cowardice is seen the night Zeena leaves for Bettsbridge, leaving Ethan and Mattie alone. . They go about their usual household duties with a little caution, avoiding the topic that is really on their mind, their relationship. “Now, in the warm lamplit room, with all its ancient implications of conformity and order, she seemed infinitely further from him and more unapproachable” (Wharton 81). That night, Ethan is also held back by the apparent presence of his wife in the room, even though she is not actually there. "Ethan, a moment before, had felt himself on the verge of eloquence; but the mention of Zeena had paralyzed him" (Wharton 73). Although Ethan is tempted to act on his feelings, especially now that he and Mattie are alone, he allows himself to be dominated by his environment and his wife, and is unable to move beyond a shy kiss on Mattie's sewing fabric. His passivity is demonstrated again later in the novel when he plans to run west after hearing of Zeena's firing of Mattie, but cannot muster the courage to lie to his neighbors, the Hales, to get the money that he would need. do it. He becomes convinced that "There was no way out, none. He was a prisoner for life" (Wharton 117). Ethan is so worried that the rest of the town might shun such a bold and rebellious action and think less of him, that he is held back, once again, from his obedience to accepted social mores. Mattie Silver is a lively and attractive young woman who, at the age of twenty, became a penniless orphan. Having been unsuccessful in various jobs due to her health, Mattie goes to live with her cousin Zeena, to help her with the housework. With her beauty, charm and sweet nature, Mattie brings life back to the Frome home and proves that she has a mind strong enough to oppose social conventions. In the first scene of the novel, Mattie is pressured by Dennis Eady to do so. allow him to give her a ride home. He coldly states, "Goodnight! I'm not going in" (Wharton 39). Refusing to let anyone disturb her cheerful disposition, Mattie immediately establishes the idea of ​​doing what she wants to do; it has a mind of its own. Even in the opening scene, particular attention is paid to the "cherry-colored" scarf she wears on her head and which twirls around while dancing. The association between Mattie and the color red proves appropriate because she falls in love with Ethan, a married man, and red is the color most often used to,.