Major Conflict: To Express, To Not Express?

   One of the major conflicts within the book is with Mattie. Ethan has a hard time deciding whether or not he should show or express his true feelings to Mattie. The reason it is such a debate is because he doesn't wanna cause any confusion inbetween the cousins and also becasue he is already happily married. This is major simply because it can cause infidelity and lots of mixed unwated emotions.

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The fact that he had no right to show his feelings, and thus provoke the expression of hers, made him attach a fantastic importance to every change in her look and tone. " (page. 38)