Ethan Frome - Chapter summary <b>PROLOGUE</b> One thing that sets Ethan Frome apart from other novels is the way the story is told. Edith Wharton doesn’t just start at the beginning and tell you what happens. Rather, she uses a narrator who knows no more about Ethan Frome than you do. The narrator, who remains nameless, is a young engineer. He tells you how he uncovered Ethan’s story bit by bit. …showed first 75 words of 4458 total…

…showed last 75 words of 4458 total…between him and Mattie. But as soon as he has spoken the words, he wishes that he hadn’t, for they were too vulgar and out of place. And they make Mattie blush. Mattie’s embarrassment forces Ethan to keep his distance. He alludes to Ruth and Ned’s marriage, a disguised effort to talk to Mattie about her future. Does she want to marry? He could ask her directly, but he won’t dare.