scarlet letter, ethan frome, lesson before dying :: essays research papers

Dignity and viewMany people try to escape the prison that suppresses them, but flunk to because of their deterrent example obligations to themselves and others. Edith Whartons Ethan Frome, Ernest J. Gaines A Lesson Before Dying and Nathaniel Hawthornes rubicund Letter, portray the struggles one acquires through their own conduct. Ethan in Ethan Frome, Grant in A Lesson Before Dying and Hester in Scarlet Letter apiece try to elude their life dilemmas, but are hindered callable to their obligations. Ethan is have to his wife though he loves Mattie, while Grant is obligated to his society, but wants to leave. Hester accepts her punishment but wants to be within society though they shunned her. Wharton, Gaines and Hawthorne all use various language devices to accentuate the gain of self-regard and respect through moral struggle. In Ethan Frome, Wharton uses symbols and archetypes to create Ethans badgering to his moral obligation to his wife Zeena which keeps him from his true l ove, Mattie. His moral prison is established with the headstone of another Ethan Frome and his wife that bores that they dwelled together in peace for 50 years, which interests Ethan (Frome 66). Later on, his own neighbors dont see theres much difference between the Fromes up at the farm and the Fromes subject in the graveyard (Frome 140). The symbol of the Fromes down in the graveyard establishes Ethans similarities to the dead illustrating his moral obligation to Zeena for eternity (Frome 140). When Ethan feels Zeenas presence, coincidently Zeenas grey frame elongates its body in the direction of the milk-jug, which stood between Ethan and Mattie (Frome 69).The cat then tries an unobserved retreat and backs into the red pickle-dish, which falls on the floor with a crash (Frome 69). The color archetypes of red establish Ethan and Matties love while the grey cat establishes Zeena who breaks their love, the dish. Ethan is always besieged by Zeena even when lacking(p) her presenc e. He wants to stay with Mattie yet his obligation to his wife thwarts him from her. When Ethan and Mattie finally grip the point by his mill they descended and the darkness descended with them, dropping down interchangeable a black veil (Frome 125). The darkness symbolizes Ethans obligation and his moral duty to his wife (Frome 125).He cannot leave her though he scorns her because it is his morally compel to reside by her side.