Show how Wharton's use of language in chapter five highlights the theme of illusion versus reality.

for. With divorce being such a taboo in the early 1900's, it left Ethan and Mattie in an impossible situation, as Ethan was maritally bound to Zeena. It also tells us in the novel that Mattie "blushed to the roots of her hair" when Ethan mentioned the Hale's kissing, as Mattie becomes extremely embarressed, this tells us that not only is divorce a taboo, but mentioning other people kissing to someone (other than your partner) is taboo aswel.  Although Ethan and Mattie contemplate adultery, Wharton intends to make the readers sympathise with Ethan by making Zeena appear to be an ill, decrepit, unattractive woman. This is shown throughout the novel, with quotes such as; "his wife lying in their bedroom, her mouth slightly open, her false teeth in a tumbler by the bed" and "she continued to stare at him, the flame of the unshaded lamp bringing out with microscopic cruelty the fretful lines on her face", both of which place an image of a wrinkled, unhealthy woman in the reader's mind. She is also described as being quite self-absorbed and verbally cruel, which is shown when it is quoted that Zeena says, "I just felt so mean, I couldn't sleep". This, at first, appears as if Zeena is being compassionate, but can also be interpreted to mean she felt so "ill", she couldn't sleep.  Mattie, on the other hand, is described as being the total opposite of Zeena. This is another technique, used by Wharton, to contrast the two women, which helps persuade the readers to understand Ethan's demeanor. In the novel, it quotes: "the colour of her cherry scarf in her fresh lips and cheeks" which tells us Mattie is youthful, vibrant and pretty. The connotations of "cherry coloured" can be sexy, beautiful and dangerous, which all fit into the story as Mattie becomes a danger to Ethan and Zeena's marriage. This particular quote also contrasts deeply with a quote about Zeena; "her high-boned face taking a grayish tinge from the whiteness of the pillow". This quote uses the colour "gray/grey", which is a weak colour and has connotations of dullness. In chapter five, it says; "All constrainst had vanished between the two, and they began to talk easily and simply. They spoke of every-day things, of the prospect of snow, of the next church sociable, of the loves and quarrels of Starksfield", this quote makes it seem as if Mattie and Ethan are actually married as it mentions both characters talking with ease about everyday things as couples do. They are also seated near each other by the stove, whilst Mattie knits, which also gives the impression that they are together. With the setting, surrounding both the characters, being very calm and cosy, it makes me accept that maybe this is how it should be as both characters seem to be content together.  An example of Wharton highlighting the theme of illusion versus reality is when Mattie places herself in Zeena's rocking chair. It quotes; "As her young brown head detached itself against the patch-work cushion that habitually framed his wife's gaunt contenance, Ethan had a momentary shock. It was almost as if the other face, the face of the superseded woman, had obliterated that of the intruder", the illusion being that Mattie and Ethan are married, is shown when Mattie sits in the rocking chair next to Ethan, which is what married couples usually do. But we are then reminded of the reality of the situation, when Ethan suddenly visualises Zeena's face being in place of Mattie's. Another example, is when Ethan realises he has been caught in an illusion and thinks, "I've been in a dream, and this is the only evening we'll ever have together", also when it quotes; "The return to reality was as painful as the return to consciousness after taking an anaesthetic", which shows how down-hearted Ethan felt when the reality suddenly occured to him.  Throughout chapter five, the cat plays an important part because it symbolises Zeena's presence. Whilst Zeena is away, the cat's characteristics resemble Zeena, giving the illusion she is still with Ethan and Mattie although they are alone together. An example of when the cat seems to take on the characteristics of Zeena is when it quotes; "The cat, who had been a puzzled observer of these unusual moments, jumped up into Zeena's chair rolled itself into a ball, and lay watching them with narrowed eyes", even though the cat takes it's place in Zeena's chair, it also says it had been a "puzzled observer", which suggests the cat knows something unusual is going on. It also watches Ethan and Mattie with "narrowed eyes", as if Zeena was the one taking an interest in Ethan and Mattie's evening.  Further on in the chapter, it says; "The cat had jumped from Zeena's chair to dart at a mouse in the wainscot, and as a result of the sudden movement the empty chair had set up a spectral rocking", this suggests that as the cat moved, the chair began to rock, as if Zeena herself was still sitting in it. This also proves the significance of the cat, as it contributed to the "spectral rocking" of the chair. Through these odd occurences of the cat giving the illusion Zeena is still within the proximity of Ethan and Mattie, it may have unnerved them, stopping them both from commiting adultery.  The chapter ends with Mattie and Ethan returning to reality and going their seperate ways to bed. Ethan realises though, that "he had not even touched her hand" during the whole evening. This, in a way, is disappointing as Wharton makes you sympathise with Ethan during the story, making you want him to get with Mattie. Before Mattie and Ethan go upto bed, it quotes, "When these nightly duties were performed there was nothing left to do but to bring in the tin candlestick from the passage", by the way it says "there was nothing left to do", shows that Ethan maybe feels a little disappointed that nothing happened aswel. However, because nothing happened, it made it easier for both Ethan and Mattie to return to reality before the next day. Otherwise it would of raised more suspicisons with Zeena, when she returned, if they both still seemed trapped in an illusion.