Upon encountering the limping Ethan Frome, a visitor becomes curious about the striking man's back story. Using extended flashbacks, author Edith Wharton paints a picture of a man who continually sacrifices his aspirations in order to care for the needy people in his life. After abandoning his goal of higher education to assist his ailing parents on their farm, Ethan's return to Starkfield results in a loveless marriage of service to Zeena, an older woman with numerous health problems and complaints. When Zeena's cousin Mattie comes to live with them and help care for Zeena, Ethan's feelings for Mattie threaten to overpower his sense of duty to his wife and his own honor. Wharton's novel chronicles the savagely ironic consequences.