Chapter II Quiz — Ethan Frome

Where is Ethan hiding as the dance lets out at the beginning of Chapter II?

• Behind a tree near the road
• Behind the projecting storm-door of the hall
• Inside the church vestibule
• In Denis Eady's cutter

What does Denis Eady offer Mattie after the dance?

• To walk her home through the village
• A ride in his father's cutter with the roan colt
• A cup of coffee at the general store
• A place to stay for the night

Which couple nearly crashed into the elm tree while coasting down Corbury road?

• Ethan and Mattie
• Denis Eady and his sister
• Ned Hale and Ruth Varnum
• The Frome parents

What does Mattie think Ethan is trying to tell her when he questions her about Denis?

• That he is jealous of Denis Eady
• That Zeena is dissatisfied and may send Mattie away
• That he wants to marry her
• That Denis is not a suitable companion

What usually comes to Ethan's mind when he passes the family gravestones?

• Fond memories of his parents
• A desire to be buried beside Mattie
• The mocking message that no Frome ever escaped Starkfield
• Gratitude for the family's long history

What object on the porch triggers a dark thought in Ethan's mind about Zeena?

• A broken rocking chair
• A dead cucumber vine
• A rusted lantern
• A torn curtain

Why does Ethan say he needs to stay downstairs instead of going to bed?

• He wants to read a book
• He claims he has mill accounts to go over
• He says he needs to feed the horses
• He wants to stoke the fire

Mattie accepts Denis Eady's offer of a ride home in the cutter.

Zeena is awake and opens the kitchen door herself when Ethan and Mattie arrive home.

In the sentence "Frome saw her twirl the end of her scarf irresolutely about her fingers," what does "irresolutely" mean?

• Angrily and with great force
• In a hesitant, uncertain manner
• Gracefully and with elegance
• Quickly and with determination

When Wharton writes that "it was peculiarly repugnant to him that Mattie should see him follow Zeena," what does "repugnant" mean?

• Confusing or puzzling
• Exciting or thrilling
• Extremely distasteful or revolting
• Ordinary or unremarkable

What does "counterpane" mean in the description of Zeena "drawing a quilted counterpane to her flat breast"?

• A type of window shutter
• A kitchen apron
• A bedspread or quilt
• A heavy winter coat