' Through her portrayal of Ethan and Mattie's relationship, Wharton deplores a society where societal expectations deny people their chance of happiness.' " Her hat slipped back and he was stroking her hair. He wanted to get the feeling of it into his hand, so it would sleep there like a seed in winter. Once he found her mouth again, they were once again by the pond together in the burning August sun." It is the tragedy of "" that these ill-fated lovers, Ethan and Mattie, are reduced to something "bleak and unapproachable". A couple who are re ....