Mattie Silver

Mattie Silver is a fictional character in the novella Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton, published in 1911 by Charles Scribner's Sons. The story revolves around the life of Ethan Frome, a poor farmer living in the fictional town of Starkfield, Massachusetts, and his relationships with Zeena Frome and Mattie Silver. The novella explores themes of love, isolation, and tragedy, set against the backdrop of the American literature of the early 20th century, influenced by writers such as Henry James and Theodore Dreiser. The character of Mattie Silver is often compared to other female characters in American literature, such as Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Introduction to Mattie Silver

Mattie Silver is a young and beautiful woman who comes to live with the Frome family as a housekeeper and companion to Zeena Frome. She is a cousin of Zeena Frome from a poor family and is taken in by the Fromes out of charity. Mattie Silver is a significant character in the novella, and her presence sets off a chain of events that ultimately leads to the tragedy that befalls the characters. The character of Mattie Silver has been influenced by the works of Jane Austen and The Brontë sisters, who wrote about strong female characters in Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre. The novella has been compared to other works of American literature, such as Moby-Dick by Herman Melville and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

Character Analysis

Mattie Silver is a complex and multi-dimensional character, full of youth and vitality. She is a romantic at heart, with a deep love for nature and beauty. Her presence in the Frome household brings a sense of joy and laughter that was previously absent. However, she is also naive and inexperienced, which makes her vulnerable to the cruel circumstances that surround her. The character of Mattie Silver has been analyzed by literary critics such as Harold Bloom and Lionel Trilling, who have written about the symbolism and motifs in the novella. The character has also been compared to other female characters in literature, such as Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and Catherine Earnshaw from Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë.

Role in Ethan Frome

Mattie Silver plays a crucial role in the life of Ethan Frome, who is trapped in a loveless and unhappy marriage with Zeena Frome. She brings a sense of hope and excitement into his life, and he finds himself deeply in love with her. However, their love is doomed from the start, as they are from different social classes and Zeena Frome will not divorce Ethan Frome. The relationship between Ethan Frome and Mattie Silver is a central theme in the novella, and has been compared to other famous love stories in literature, such as Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The novella has been influenced by the works of Gustave Flaubert and Guy de Maupassant, who wrote about the human condition in Madame Bovary and Bel Ami.

Literary Significance

The character of Mattie Silver has significant literary importance, as she represents the youth and beauty that is often crushed by the cruel circumstances of life. Her story has been interpreted as a tragedy of unfulfilled love and lost opportunities. The novella has been praised for its realistic portrayal of rural life in New England during the early 20th century, and its exploration of themes such as isolation, poverty, and the human condition. The character of Mattie Silver has been analyzed by scholars such as Cleanth Brooks and Robert Penn Warren, who have written about the symbolism and motifs in the novella. The novella has been compared to other works of American literature, such as The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.

Adaptations and Interpretations

The character of Mattie Silver has been portrayed by several actresses in film and theater adaptations of Ethan Frome, including Liliana Cavani and Patricia Arquette. The novella has been adapted into a film directed by John Madden and starring Liam Neeson and Patricia Arquette. The character of Mattie Silver has also been interpreted by artists such as Grant Wood and Thomas Hart Benton, who have created paintings and drawings inspired by the novella. The novella has been translated into several languages, including French, Spanish, and German, and has been widely studied in universities and colleges around the world, including Harvard University, Yale University, and University of Oxford. The character of Mattie Silver has been compared to other female characters in literature, such as Anna Karenina from Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy and Lady Macbeth from Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Category: Fictional characters