The poem “Storm Fear” by Robert Frost describes a scene in which “the wind works against us in the darkness.” Throughout the poem, the frozen landscape acts as an antagonist fighting against man. In the classic short story Ethan Frome, author Edith Wharton also personifies the landscape. The New England village of Starkfield during harsh winters is also an antagonist, prohibiting the characters from effectively communicating with each other. In both works, the environment causes Ethan and the speaker of the poem to repress their feelings until it is too late to act. Both authors use vivid, detailed imagery to depict a dark winter storm. Frost begins the poem by describing the relaxed atmosphere. In the second line, the author talks about a severe winter storm that is “pounding snow.” This statement, along with the previously mentioned sentence, indicates that the scene is working against the characters. The word “skin” is a key word in this sentence. Skin can mean to attack or attack, but it can also be another word for the skin of a dead animal. This implies that the snow is so hard that it can be described as deadly. The title “Storm Fear” does not have a positive connotation. . Rather than evoking the beauty of a snowflake or describing a "winter wonderland", the author chooses to describe winter as if seeking to end something (or someone ). We then speak of a “storm” and not of snowfall. “Fear” is also not positive, as it can be defined as “an unpleasant emotion.” In Ethan Frome, Wharton's bleak depiction of New England winters is prevalent throughout the work. She describes winter as “cold without sun”. (page 8). Harmon Gow even states that "most of the smart ones turn away [from winter...... middle of paper...... when they could have turned to Mattie when he was alone with her by the fire, but instead he makes her sit on Zeena's chair. Wharton indicates that he is too “indolent” and “lazy” (p. 77) to approach her. Neither character can make the change and overcome the influence of the storm unless they make the effort, and do it "unassisted." In Robert Frost's "Storm Fear" and Edith Wharton's great short story Ethan Frome, the landscape is personified for battle. against the characters. Frost and the characters in the story are faced with violent winter storms that do not allow them to communicate effectively with each other. Only when it is too late do they say the right thing and do the right thing. Ultimately, the landscape leaves Mattie and Ethan paralyzed, and Frost has fallen into the snow. If they were able to express themselves, things would have been different..