Question

Read this excerpt from paragraph one of the passage from Ethan Frome and answer the question.

He still took refuge there in summer, but when Mattie came to live at the farm he had to give her his stove, and consequently the room was uninhabitable for several months of the year.

What does the underlined part of the sentence imply about Ethan’s reasons for spending time in his study?

Ethan is uncertain about his future life with Zeena.
Ethan is uncomfortable around his wife Zeena.
Ethan anticipates spending time with Mattie.
Ethan is happy to give up comforts for Mattie.

Answer 1

The sentence implies Ethan is willing to sacrifice his personal comfort by giving up his stove to Mattie, showing he is happy to give up comforts for her.

Step-by-step explanation:

The underlined part of the sentence "consequently the room was uninhabitable for several months of the year" implies that Ethan Frome had to sacrifice his personal space for Mattie, indicating his strong feelings for her. The act of giving up his stove, and therefore making his study uninhabitable, suggests that Ethan is happy to give up comforts for Mattie. This act of sacrifice reveals the extent of Ethan's affection and the prioritization of Mattie's comfort over his own needs, subtly indicating his emotional preference for Mattie's presence and well-being over his own solitary comfort.