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Ethan Frome, the classic novel written by Edith Wharton contains a great amount of symbolism. The symbolism allows the characters to express themselves more clearly to the reader. It brings incidents and personalities together in meaning. The story’s symb ....

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.... without quarter.” (7) Another truly symbolic point of the story is the Elm tree. The Elm tree symbolizes the end and the escape of two lives. Even though Mattie an Ethan were not killed by the sled crash, that was their purpose. The Elm tree also symbolizes strength and courage. After the crash, the Elm tree was still standing, while Ethan and Mattie were terribly injured. If Ethan was a stronger person he would not have crashed into the tree with Mattie. He would have had the strength to say “no” in the first place. Zeena who was once a hypochondriac, recovered, and now she takes care of Mattie and Ethan. “It w ....