Throughout the novel, Ethan Frome's sense of responsibility is strong enough within him to forget his own happiness with Mattie, to stay with his wife Zeena, and to take care of the town when everyone else has died. In Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome, Ethan's sense of responsibility to his wife and land prevents him from achieving true happiness and causes his ultimate emotional death. Ethan Frome has a strong enough sense of responsibility to prevent himself from achieving true happiness with his love Mattie. As Ethan and Mattie sit in the sleigh and prepare to run headfirst into the tree, he sees Zeena's face appear in front of him, and it reminds him that he still has to take care of her. Sitting on the sleigh with his love, Ethan awaits his death, “But suddenly the face of his wife, with monstrous and twisted features, stood between him and his goal…” (Wharton 122). This clearly demonstrates that he cannot leave his sick and dying wife to survive alone. Another author agrees with the theme that Ethan's obligation of duty shows in his downfall by saying: "As a theme, the...