Ethan Frome

Ethan Frome Summary | Chapter 1 Summary

Ethan finds a job with opportunities for travel, but the illness of his parents draws him back to his home. He enjoys studying for its own sake and has changed a small parlor into his library. The trip this night to the church brings him a dose of reality. He sees Mattie smiling and laughing in ways he thought she reserved for him. He doesn't realize that his wife Zeena has been picking up on the changes in him and noticing the excuses he makes to spend time with Mattie.