Ethan Frome

In the novel Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton, the main character Ethan Frome is described as a man with a strong sense of pride and obligation to others. This sense obligation often interferes with Ethan's desires for happiness and a fuller life. In a way, he ends up preventing himself from leaving the cold and boring town of Starkfield, which has been his place of residence his whole life. Ethan wishes to make more of …

…turn has prevented Ethan from leaving Starkfield, which seemed very likely before his parents were stricken ill. So instead of possibly living a very happy life, Ethan has created for himself one that is lonely, cold, and often times miserable. This makes his life quite ironic, in that he spends most of his time doing good and generous deeds by putting others first, yet feels the repercussions of a lonely life by putting himself last.