Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton is a short story that follows the troubled life of a man, Ethan Frome. He is stranded in Starkfield, Massachusetts with his ailing wife Zeena, longing for a different life with Mattie Silver, the hired girl at his house. Throughout the book the reader sees his struggle to try to free himself from his miserable life. At the end of the book, the reader learns that he has not been able to change anything, because Ethan is still at his house with Zeena and Mattie, now paralyzed. This story can be very controversial as to whether or not it is a valuable reading experience. The value of Ethan Frome's reading experience demonstrates that it should be a source for a high school English class and can be understood through the creative writing techniques used, the quality of the writing, the effectiveness of the piece, and the validity of the text . the ideas presented. The creative writing techniques that Wharton uses in her writing enhance the story and make it worth reading. Wharton is very descriptive in almost every aspect of her story. This gives the reader another element of the story rather than just reading dialogue or general descriptions. One point where Wharton becomes descriptive is when she begins to explain the Frome house and how “the image (of itself) presents of a life tied to the soil, and containing within itself the principal sources of heat and nourishment, or simply to Because of the consoling thought that allows the inhabitants of that harsh climate to devote themselves to morning work without facing the elements, it is certain that the "L" rather than the house itself seems to be the center, the true hearth of the New English Farm” (Wharton 11). This shows how detailed Wharton can be. Not only does it give the reader a g... middle of paper ... the increase in passion (his and Mattie's) results in an increase in Zen's displeasure” (Shmoop 1). This is very relatable because at some point people may have noticed someone's jealousy, but did nothing to stop it. Some may even continue to do the action because they like it when others are jealous of them. Wharton's ideas are valid in the sense that many people in today's world are able to relate to them. Ethan Frome's reading experience is very valuable and can be understood through the creative writing techniques used, the quality of the writing, the effectiveness of the writing. piece and the validity of the ideas presented. These elements of Wharton's story demonstrate that Ethan Frome is a book that should be read by English high school students. This is a book not to be overlooked because the value of its reading is too high to pass up.