“After the dead silence of her long imprisonment, Zeena's talkativeness was music in her ears” (Wharton 29). This quote is one of numerous times symbolism is used in the novel Ethan Frome. From the first two pages to the last chapter you can see the symbols used by Wharton to give the novel this character. The symbols give depth and so much meaning in this novel. While you only read the very few pages of the book, the symbols are relevant here and there. One of the first symbols introduced is the town Starkfield. Since you might think that Starkfield was just a town name invented by Wharton anyway. Meriam Webster's dictionary defines the prefix word “Stark” as a bare, cold, or empty appearance. Now it is clear how fundamental this symbol is to the story. Wharton uses this symbol to “symbolize the devastating and isolating effects of harsh winters on earth” (Boodie). With this city we assume it is freezing due to the descriptions in the novel. Thus we proceed to the symbolism of the winter season which seems to be most in force throughout the story. The winter season symbolizes feelings such as isolation and loneliness. As we all know, winter brings with it snow, ice, wind, cold and even deeper, darkness and death. Throughout the story we see Frome hiding in the nature of the city. With the symbolism of nature we see Ethan hiding in the harshness of winter. Quoting Book Rags “Ethan embodies the dark and bleak landscape of Starkfield itself.” Having said this we can see the importance of nature on the characteristics of the character. Revisiting the quote, an important symbol among the main characters is what silence portrays. As the quote states, Zeena's voice was... at the heart of Chart... lism. Instead of blandly describing emotions, Wharton includes these symbols. Symbols tap into the reader's knowledge and say more than any other word could have described. Works CitedBook Rags Inc. “Ethan Frome Notes on the Death and Isolation Themes.” BookRags. BookRags and Web. March 11, 2014. Shmoop editorial team. "Ethan Frome's Symbolism, Imagery, and Allegory." Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., November 11, 2008. Web. March 11, 2014. "Stark." Merriam Webster. Merriam-Webster and Web. 06 April 2014. .Tripod Inc. "figurative language, symbols, themes." Figurative Language, Symbols, Themes. Np, nd Web. March 11. 2014. .