“Winter stays too long in country towns; it endures until it becomes stale and worn, old and gloomy” (“Brainy Quotes” 1). In Edith Wharton's framed novel Ethan Frome, the main protagonist encounters "missed opportunities, failed romance, and dashed dreams" with a regretful ending (Lilburn 1). Ethan Frome lives in the isolated fictional town of Starkfield, Massachusetts with his irritable wife, Zenobia Frome. Since her wedding, Zenobia, also known as Zeena, has revolved around her illness. Furthermore, he is prone to silence, anger and plaintive cries. Ethan dreams of leaving Starkfield and selling his plantation, however he considers taking care of his wife as a duty and main priority. One day, Zeena's cousin Mattie Silver comes to assist the Fromes with their daily activities. Immediately, Mattie's attractive, youthful energy revives Ethan's outlook on life. He brings a light to Starkfield and instantly steals Ethan's heart; however, Ethan's quiet demeanor and lack of expression cause his affection to be surreptitious. As Zeena's health worsens, she becomes afraid and wishes to seek advice from a doctor in a town called Bettsbridge, giving Ethan and Mattie privacy for a night. Unfortunately the night turns out to be a disastrous and uncomfortable evening. Neither Ethan nor Mattie say a word about their love for each other. Also, during dinner, the cat jumps onto the table and sends a plate of pickles straight to the floor causing it to shatter into pieces. To make matters worse, the pickle dish is a favorite and cherished wedding gift for Zeena. Later, Zeena finds out that it is broken and this sends her anger over the edge. Furious, Zeena demands a more efficient "hired girl" to complete her homework... mid-paper... her mother had passed in "spring instead of winter" their marriage "couldn't have happened" they happened” (Wharton 56). Deep irony and tragedy appear numerous throughout the novel. Early in the novel, the narrator learns that the “accident” occurred “twenty-four years ago, as of next February” (Wharton 3). After February, spring arrives. Whenever Zeena leaves town to seek new advice from a new doctor, she often travels to a town called Springfield. The word "stark" means hard, naked and difficult, however outside of Starkfield there is "Springfield" where Zeena gets medicine and advice. The last time she went to Springfield she spent twenty dollars of Ethan's money to pay for an electric battery, which she never used. Trips to Springfield are very expensive and never cure Zeena's illness. This shows how spring and health are a false hope for the Fromes.