The story, Ethan Frome, has a theme of isolation. On page 68-69, Ethan argues with Mattie about how she'll not leave because Zeena is planning on replacing her. Ethan knows Zeena does not want Mattie and him to be together and attempts to separate them. When Ethan tells Mattie she has to leave, he imagines that he is drowning and he craves her touch. He feels as if he needs to be near Mattie in order to live. This causes Ethan to feel isolated because the woman who he loves is demanded to leave by his wife. Ethan already tried to escape the isolation of Starkfield and his father's farm by going to college in Worcester. His father's death forced him to give up on a career he could have and love and made him come back home. After marrying Zeena, because he could not leave her all alone, he is confined by the farm and caring for Zeena. As well as Ethan, Mattie and Zeena also feels isolated. Mattie is isolated by the death of her parents and ill family members. She moved to an unaccustomed farm and is banned from contact to other people, besides the Fromes'. Zeena is overwhelmed with her many illnesses and rarely leaves the farm. She only speaks to Ethan and Mattie when telling them her demands. When Ethan and Mattie's escape plan fails, they all pay the consequence of living in isolation; worse than ever. Additionally, on pages 75-78, it shows isolation by how Ethan is ready to go out into the world but is stuck because of his ill wife. He feels like he is wasting life away by being Zeena's husband and being in Starkfield, alone and isolated. Ethan concludes to run away with Mattie. He then starts thinking and comes to the conclusion that his plans are impractical. He feels isolated because of the idea of starting over without any money and the situation Zeena will be left in. While working in the lumber yard to get money, Ethan decides he will be able to run away with Mattie and start a new life. While running to get to Hale, Mrs. Hale