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In April, we will be reading Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton.Quote:
A classic is classic not because it conforms to certain structural rules, or fits certain definitions (of which its author had quite probably never heard). It is classic because of a certain eternal and irrepressible freshness.
Please post your comments and questions here.
Ethan Frome Online Text
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I'm on chapter VIII (p.54 in the Norton edition)
the intro (frame) is a bit dull/confusing but after that the story really holds your attention (well, it holds mine at any rate).
I have read it and the book does seem to keep the attention till the end.
It seemed to me at many places that there is no conversation, as if someone is observing the thoughts and putting it in words. The feelings were mostly unsaid, maybe thats how the author wanted. Oh, and in some very romantic scenes I felt as if I am reading an MB :p :p
I have just started it. Seems interesting, to me. :)
It is definitely interesting :nod: The moment you think that after this scene now surely this (something very predictable) will happen, it just changes and takes a different turn.
What do you think of Zeena? Do you really see her as what Ethan thinks of her, or was he merely reacting?
It is not exactly the type of books, I usually read, but it is very good one. But the end of it confused me a bit. I didn't expected exactly this (I usually predict what is going to happen at the end), but I think this is good after all. Exactly as Madhuri said, the action is just unpredictable :) :) :) Still there is something that confuse me there and I can't explain it clearly. May be the problem is with the jump through the time and the sudden change of the narrator, I don't know. The action seems to be a bit slower than what I am get used to, but the characters descriptions are very full and that gives a wonderful notion for them.
I am up to Chapter 2 - will start that tonight. It strikes me that this book is one of the frame stories as someone else pointed out. I am not sure that is the exact terminology or correct terminology. But what I want to point out is the structure of the story is within the frame of someone telling the story first to the narrator. The author also stated, in the first paragraph, the fact that several versions were told to him, and so I imagine now the story he is now relating to us is really a combination of each. Any thoughts on this?
The interesting part of the story is the mystery and the way Wharton is slowing unraveling the tale. It is a slowpaced book, but it does keep your interest wanting to find out the why and wherefore, and the writing is lovely. It is a little annoying to me that the author sometimes has such long run-on sentences. She seems a bit wordy but then when you go back over them you can see the point she is emphasising. I get lost in those long descriptions, but the graphic images of the bleakness of winter and the countryside reflects well the broken spirit and body of Ethan Frome.
Jumping ahead - when I was in highschool and read this book I recall thinking the ending very strange, but I think now I will have a different perspective on it and see the whole point more clearly.
That's interesting :nod: I hadn't thought it this way.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
I got a bit confused about the ending.Quote:
Jumping ahead - when I was in highschool and read this book I recall thinking the ending very strange, but I think now I will have a different perspective on it and see the whole point more clearly.
Hi Madhuri,Quote:
Originally Posted by Madhuri
Yes, always look for key words in the descriptive text - usually they will mimic the attitudes or conditons of the characters. The description and atmosphere can set the mood. All good authors use this device. For example: the sun might break through the clouds and then the story might take on a lighter, happier feel. Fine authors don't just write long descriptions for no reason. Always go back and look to the words and you will see much more in them. Also always read between the lines. There is always more that does not meet the eye.
Yes, when I was younger I was totally confused and in the dark about the ending. I don't clearly recall it now so you will have to wait till I am done with my reading of the book, so I can tell you how I feel about it now. Here is where you may have to read between the lines or use your own imagination to fill in the blanks.Quote:
I got a bit confused about the ending.
I'm finished.
in my edition (Norton Critical Edition) there are ".....................................
.................................................. ..........." at the beginning and end of the main part.
do you have those?
they make the transition from the frame to the main story less confusing :)
the ending was very surprising.. I'm not sure how i feel about it...
will talk about it in detail when everyone's read it :)
Sleepywitch, Yes, my book has the same thing - chapters that are not numbered, one preceeding the first chapter and one at the end of the book, is that what you mean by "...................."? So that is the frame - those two chapters. I have some commentary in my book, too, but will read then when I finish the novel.Quote:
Originally Posted by SleepyWitch
Well, I am half way through and should finish it soon. I read it before so I know the ending but I am anxious to read it again with a new perspective. The end is a surprise and I have never known just how I feel about it either. We will see this time around.
yep, the frame chapters are not numbered and the first chapter of the main story is chapter I.
and there are dotted lines at the end of the first part of the frame. there's a footnote that says Wharton put those there as a visual signal that the main part is beginning
Ahhh! That's why I was so confuse! I read the book through DailyLit and there were no dotted lines and no footnotes of course. The last one was a bit sad, I began to love footnotes after James Joyce's works - there were so many of them! :lol: :lol: :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by SleepyWitch
Oh, I see what you are talking about. My addition is older and just has the blank chapters, to start and finish. I have read other books with that format, so it did not throw me off. I think "Frankenstein" was written that way; I know it was written in a 'frame format' to tell the story, not sure if the first chapter was left un-numbered or un-named.
When are we going to discuss the book and the characters? I would like to start with Ethan's character, since he is the main character in the book, besides the narrator. What do you all think? If we jump ahead to the ending, I think it is too early to do so. We need to take the first couple of chapters and discuss them more extensively.
Finished, not my favorite.