Ethan Frome
The protagonist of the novel: an impoverished New England farmer whose dreams of happiness form the basis of the novel's plot
Engineer
The narrator whose interest in Ethan and subsequent acquaintance with his situation prompt him to envision the events that occurred 24 years earlier
Zeena (Zenobia) Frome
Ethan's wife, who becomes a hypochondriac after her marriage
Mattie Silver
Zeena's penniless cousin; she lives with the Fromes and brings joy to Ethan's life
Harmon Gow
A one time stage driver who provides the narrator with part of Ethan's story
Mrs. Ned Hale (Ruth Varnum)
The engineer's landlady and an old friend of Mattie; she provides additional facts
Andrew Hale
Resident of Starkfield; owner of a construction company to whom Ethan sells lumber
Ned Hale
Andrew's son; marries Ruth
Denis Eady
Son of the town grocer; is interested in the young Mattie.
Jotham Powell
Hired hand on Ethan's farm
Mrs. Andrew Hale
Hale's wife and a woman whose conversation with Ethan influenced his actions
Widow Homan
Store owner who sells glue to Ethan
Martha Pierce
Zeena's aunt whom she visits in Bettsbridge
Dr. Buck
The doctor Zeena consults
Philura Maple
Zeena's aunt; giver of the red pickle dish
Daniel Byrne
A neighbor who transports Mattie's trunk to the train station