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Wharton's 'Ethan Frome.' (Edith Wharton)

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From: The Explicator
Date: 19930622
Author:Hattenhauer, Darryl

Edith Wharton uses a red pickle dish in 'Ethan Frome' to depict the sexuality of characters Zeena and Mattie. The positioning of the dish on a high shelf by Zeena, Ethan's wife, represents her lack of sexual interest. Mattie's use of the dish and its subsequent breakage represents her sexual interest in Ethan and her challenge to Zeena. The colour red also reflects Mattie's sexuality.

Critics of Ethan Frome have long noted the sexual symbolism of the red pickle dish.(1) Zeena received the dish as a wedding gift but has never used it; she literally keeps it up on a shelf. Mattie, the ...

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