Guest Blogger: Thomas D.

During the last week with Ethan Frome, as well as Turn of the Screw, Point of View has been greatly emphasized. Without the governess's limited and sometimes incorrect view. Turn of the Screw would hardly be as mysterious as it is. And without the engineer to insert ideas such as a "metallic dome sky", Ethan Frome would be... hmm. What would happen if Ethan Frome was narrarated by Ethan himself? What if it was a nearly stream-of-consciousness view inside of Ethan's limited, dull head? Would the story be just as engaging as before? Would it have the eloquence of James Joyce? We'll never know for sure, but I think I've got a pretty good idea of what it would be like...

Because you're all lazy and on spring break, I have created an audio-visual presentation in case you can't bear to read any more text.



My name is Ethan Frome. I live in Starkfield. I run a sawmill but don't make any money from it. My wife is Zeena. She is sick and wastes my money. She is also not fun in bed. I have to go pick Mattie up from the dance. I should go now.

I see Matt through the window. I am good at looking through windows. I remember how she is so pretty. I think she would be more fun in bed than Zeena. I need to bring her home now. I tell her to come along. She does.

Zeena needs to visit a new doctor. I hate new doctors. They waste my money. But I don't have any money. I get a good idea. I lie to Zeena. I say I need to get money from Hale. I can stay with Mattie. And her bed. So I go to get the money. But he has no money. He is late with the payment. I don't take the payment. I have pride. I do not want to be a poor beggar. So I go home without money.

I have dinner with Matt. The cat breaks the pickle plate. I can fix it. But first I want to touch her. I tell her about the weather. She seems happy. We do not go to her bed. I am dissapointed. I think her bed would be more fun than Zeena's.

Zeena comes back. She wants a new maid. I am sad. She sees the broken plate. She is angry. I leave with Matt. We find Hale's sled. Matt says we should run into the elm. I hit the elm. I think I die. But I don't. I bleed. Mattie's back is broken. Now she is no fun in bed. Zeena takes care of her.

The end.