Teaching Ethan Frome

Instructions for You

Objective: Why not keep up the Wharton torture? Let's give the students a few more tales of woe. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "First let us notice that life is a continual story of shattered dreams" (source). It's not the most uplifting subject, but it's important for students to recognize this recurring theme in other works and realize how often irony is used to achieve this effect. Of course, we'll also have them think about how it's possible to change one's course in life and not succumb to those shattered dreams. See? Always a silver lining with Shmoop.

This lesson assumes that students have been introduced to the concept of irony, but if needed, a longer background lesson can be inserted for the literary device. Reviewing can't hurt—we promise.

Materials Needed: Copy of the novel, Internet for video (whole class), Internet access for pairs to read short stories online (or printed copies)

Step 1: Show this clip from A Knight's Tale (Warning: has "damn your stomach" at 3:00), and begin a discussion about a person's ability to make a change or "change his stars" vs. becoming a victim of circumstances.

Step 2: A Knight's Tale had a happy ending, yes, but today, your students will be looking at a few more stories with ironic unhappy endings like Ethan Frome.

First things first. Take a minute to review the three types of irony, but try to focus your discussion on situational irony, since that's mostly what's going down in Ethan Frome.

You might also want to take a few minutes to review the plot arc and ending of the book—especially if it's been a few days since they finished reading.

• Plot Analysis 
• What's Up With the Ending?

Step 3: We want the students to recognize similarities in themes, settings, character developments, and use of irony in various different works.

Give the students a quick introduction to each story (Shmoop link provided to help you out!) and then have them break into pairs and choose one of the following to read online. If there isn't Internet access in the classroom, you can print the stories out beforehand.

• The Awakening

• Shmoop's Analysis

• The Necklace

• Shmoop's Analysis

As you float, engage students in how they feel about the character and his/her choices. Where is the irony in the story?

Students should use a Venn diagram, being sure to notate as they read. They will be looking for similarities and differences between their story and Ethan Frome for the following aspects of the texts:

• Setting
• Main character's description/state of being
• Main character's dream
• Main character's sacrifice(s)
• How the ending is ironic

Once the groups are finished, create one giant Venn diagram for the class combining the ideas from each group.

Step 4: Independently, students will create a collage to demonstrate their hopes, dreams, and vision of the future (1, 5, 10, 20 years out—very difficult for some who don't know what they will be up to on Saturday) using Pinterest, Glogster, or other similar applications. In 2-3 paragraphs, they should include

• their overall vision.
• what obstacles they might meet or sacrifices they may have to make.
• how they might avoid becoming victims of irony or situation.

Instructions for Your Students

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Now first let us notice that life is a continual story of shattered dreams" (source). Pretty bleak, right? But plenty of authors tend to agree with him and, throughout the years, have written depressing works of unfulfilled dreams like Ethan Frome.

But do agree? Or do you think anyone can change their path in life? Are these writers trying to warn us to make better choices? Is Wharton using irony to send us a message?

Step 1: Check out this clip of A Knight's Tale. This one had a nice "happy, guy gets girl, wins the contest and becomes a knight" ending. And he vows at the beginning that he "can change his stars." Do you believe someone can change a path in life? What would you do to achieve your goals?

Step 2: Most authors like to write about characters working toward something—but they do love them some irony along the way. Review the definition of irony—focusing on situational irony. And then, if you need a refresher on the irony in Ethan Frome, check our analysis here at Shmoop:

• Plot Analysis
• What's Up With the Ending?

Step 3: Now, it is time to see that Wharton does not have the corner on the irony market. Short story writers love to add irony and zing the reader in a matter of pages. You will choose one of the following short stories about sacrifice and longing and compare and contrast it to Ethan Frome.

• The Awakening
  • Shmoop's Analysis
• The Necklace
  • Shmoop's Analysis

Try to think about how you feel about the characters and their choices. Where is the irony in your short story? Use your old favorite, a Venn diagram, being sure to notate while you read. Look for similarities and differences in the following aspects of the texts:

• Setting
• Main character's description/state of being
• Main character's dream
• Main character's sacrifice(s)
• How the ending is ironic

Once that's done, you will create one giant Venn diagram combining the ideas from each group.