Cecil Vyse

Cecil Vyse is a fictional character from Edith Wharton's novel "Ethan Frome." He is an outsider—a wealthy, polished man from the city who visits a small rural town. Vyse is confident, charismatic, and somewhat superficial, embodying societal privilege and modern sophistication. His presence highlights themes of class differences and the constraints of rural life. Vyse’s interactions with the local residents, especially Ethan and Zeena, serve to contrast urban refinement with their traditional, limited existence, illustrating how social change and external influences impact the community.