What is Editha by William Dean Howells about?

Editha is a patriotic young lady who convinces her lover, George, to join the army to fight in the Spanish-American war — a war she claims is “just” and will, once justly fought, raise their status in society.

How would you describe Editha?

Editha is a rather naive young lady who doesn’t appear to know much about the world around her. She gets most of her opinions from the scurrilous newspapers that peddle a daily diet of jingoism and crass sensationalism. As a result, she thinks that war’s nothing but an awfully big…

What does the end of Editha mean?

By the end, though, Editha is unchanged. It only takes one woman to tell her that she did the right thing and that the war was good for the country. As soon as she hears this, her spirits are lifted, and she goes back to being someone who believes in the ideal version of the world as it’s presented to her.

What is Howells view of war?

Editha uses three reasons to support her advocacy for the war, first, that to fight in the war will be glorious. Second, that the war is ordained by God, and third, that to fight for the country is to show devotion or loyalty.

How is Editha an example of naturalism?

Along with the Realist trends, “Editha” manifests several common characteristics of Naturalism, such as Howells’ pessimistic outlook on the war and social dynamics, influencing Editha’s and George’s behavior. From one perspective, George’s decision to go to the war is an honorable action.

Is there any symbolism in Editha?

There’s a great example of symbolism when Editha gives George a tall, cloudy glass of lemonade, which he quickly gulps down. One could argue that the cloudy drink symbolizes the ignorance of many people at that time as to the true nature of the war whose outbreak they were so loudly cheering.

What war is in Editha?

the Spanish American War of 1898
William Dean Howells’ short story ‘Editha’ identifies and criticizes the major role that masculine rhetoric played in the Spanish American War of 1898.

Is Editha realism or naturalism?

Traditionally “Editha” has been treated as a realist story, but the roles Editha and George exemplify point towards naturalism since both characters are unconscious of the social forces that propel them to the major crisises in the story.

What is the conflict in Editha?

The main conflict of the story is that Editha pushes George Gearson, her fiancé, to enlist and fight in the Spanish-American War. Unlike Editha, George does not believe that war is glorious or a part of God’s plan.

What is the importance of red white and blue in Editha?

It was wrapped in red, white and blue ribbon, a symbol of her mindless patriotism. He was supposed to open it if he ever doubted why he had joined the war. In the box she put a letter and her engagement ring, saying that she would have left him had he not enlisted. Describe Editha.

How is Editha realism?

Howells utilizes literary realism in his short story Editha to communicate the reality of war and to portray the romanticism Americans had created around the concept of war. Howells uses these lines to establish George’s feelings about war. At this time in history, men were expected to go to war and like it.

How does Editha show naturalism?

Traditionally “Editha” has been treated as a realist story, but the roles Editha and George exemplify point towards naturalism since both characters are unconscious of the social forces that propel them to the major crisises in the story. Interestingly, closer scrutiny of “Editha” reveals naturalistic tendencies.