Ethan Frome

by Edith Wharton

Ethan Frome: Situational Irony 1 key example

Chapter 2
Explanation and Analysis—Together Forever:

The conclusion of Ethan Frome is deeply ironic for a number of reasons, and this irony amplifies the novel's tragedy.

At multiple points throughout the novel, Ethan wishes for Mattie to remain at the farm forever. In Chapter 2, he even fantasizes about the two of them dying and being buried next to each other in the family graveyard:

"I guess we'll never let you go, Matt," he whispered, as though even the dead, lovers once, must conspire with him to keep her; and brushing by the graves, he thought: "We'll always go on living here together, and some day she'll lie there beside me."