Who is Ethan Allen Hawley from The Winter of Our Discontent and what is their importance?

Ethan is the main character of the novel, and the plot involves his life from the time of Good Friday in 1960 to that year's 4th of July holiday weekend. He is an intelligent man who is well read. He was raised by his grandfather, his father, and his Aunt Deborah, because his mother died when he was young. He has no brothers or sisters. He is married to Mary, and has two teenage children, Ellen and Allen. Ethan is proud of his heritage, descending from Pilgrims, whalers, and pirates. He lives in a home built by his family and passed on to him. His ancestors are all dead now, and all that is left is Ethan and his son Allen to carry on the family name.