Human nature has always been tempted by the irresistible emotion of desire and, as perfectly stated by Benedict de Spinoza, "desire is the very essence of man". Although it is possible to achieve different levels of desire in our society, there are still many barriers that hinder the realization of desire. Two men, Ethan Frome and Newland Archer, whose desires are tragically unfulfilled, ideally represent the effect of society's critical eye. Although in different social circumstances, the two men equally share the pain of an unattainable passion. The moral question also deeply affects these two men. In Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome and The Age of Innocence, society and morality are seen as limits to wish fulfillment. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Described as a reserved and submissive man, Ethan Frome's dark environment sets the stage for restrictions to be placed against him. Although he loves Mattie, Ethan's feelings are clearly held back due to his surroundings. Zeena, Ethan's wife and greatest adversary, is his greatest obstacle. Because of Zeena, Ethan felt "a prisoner for life, and now his [Mattie's] one ray of light must be extinguished" (Wharton 107). Furthermore, Zeena's pervasive presence forces Ethan to question whether he should "spend all his years at the side of a bitter, querulous woman" (Wharton 104). Although Zeena may be just one of the people who influence Ethan's lust for desire, her solitary figure may also represent the strict morality of society. With these feelings of remorse, it is clear how large an impact society has on Ethan's desire for Mattie. Zeena not only limits Ethan's passion, but social traditions also impact Ethan. Along with Zeena's effective curtailment of Ethan's desire, Ethan's night alone with Mattie represents how society bears its moral burden even in its most intimate moments. The dream evening that Ethan and Mattie spend together is essentially permeated by the imaginary but watchful eyes of society. Ethan felt that in the "warm, lamp-lit room, with all its ancient implications of conformity and order, [Mattie] seemed infinitely more distant and more unapproachable" (Wharton 76). Perhaps Ethan may not have realized that society was "watching" him, but nevertheless he clearly had a gut feeling of society's restrictive moralities. At the end of their evening, not only does Ethan realize that his desires were unattainable mentally, but also in a physical sense, Ethan "remembered not even touching her hand" (Wharton 79). Combining Zeena's imposing figure and society's universal morality, Ethan Frome's desires for Mattie Silver were absolutely thwarted. Not only is Ethan a victim of these restrictions against desire, but his fellow protagonist, Newland Archer, also becomes prey to society and its morals. Moving from the poor rural life of Ethan Frome to the rich society aristocrats of Newland Archer, the same pattern shows the limitations of society. In Newland's case, the rigid social structure of high-end New York is essentially even more threatening than the environment in which Ethan lives. Even Newland's love for Ellen, constantly criticized by society, is kept manipulatively secret, so as not to arouse any suspicion from likely gossips. When Newland and Ellen are alone at Ellen's house, Newland finally indirectly mentions his desire for Ellen. But, exasperated by society's restrictions, Ellen exclaims without.