Alone in His Imperfection

"These heroes were just like us - limited human beings" (Grana 29). Society often places heroes above the public and regards their characters as perfect; however, Janice Grana knows the truth, heroes have as many lacunas in their character as any other person. At times, these faults cause the hero to meet their demise. In Edith Wharton's novella, Ethan Frome, the protagonist, Ethan Frome, exhibits the qualities of a classical tragic hero, eventually meeting his ruin …

…this miserable fate. Through Ethan's trials and agony, the reader can empathize with him; therefore, making readers feel pity for Ethan, and foreboding concerning their own flaws and destiny. Wharton's use of a classical tragic hero's attributes dictates all of these integral ideas in the novella Ethan Frome. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography** Works Cited Grana, Janice T. The Upper Room, Daily Devotional Guide. Nashville, Tennessee: The Upper Room, 1966. Wharton, Edith. Ethan Frome. New York: Barnes & Noble, Inc., 1911.