Editha analysis. William Dean Howells Editha Character Analysis 2022-10-25
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"Editha" is a short story written by American author William Dean Howells. It was first published in Harper's Magazine in 1895, and later collected in the book "The Great Modern American Stories" in 1901.
The story centers around Editha, a young woman living in the United States during the late 19th century. Editha is a strong-willed and idealistic woman, and she is deeply committed to her beliefs and her country. She is passionate about the United States' involvement in the Spanish-American War, and she sees the conflict as an opportunity for the country to spread its ideals and values to other parts of the world.
Throughout the story, Howells uses Editha as a vehicle for exploring themes of patriotism, nationalism, and the moral complexities of war. Editha's unshakeable belief in the righteousness of the war, and her refusal to consider any alternative perspectives, is ultimately shown to be naive and misguided. Through Editha's story, Howells suggests that patriotism and nationalism can be dangerous if they are not tempered by a willingness to consider different viewpoints and a commitment to moral principles.
Overall, "Editha" is a thought-provoking and poignant exploration of the complexities of nationalism and war. It challenges readers to consider the moral implications of their beliefs and actions, and to think critically about the causes they support.
William Dean Howells Editha Character Analysis
But you can't do that with a crowd that adores you. Adversity In Unbroken 761 Words 4 Pages War and its affinities have various emotional effects on different individuals, whether facing adversity within the war or when experiencing the psychological aftermath. He looked well, in his uniform, and very soldierly, but somehow girlish, too, with his clean-shaven face and slim figure. However, Editha supports and glories in the war because she reads—an intellectual activity—inaccurate, exaggerated, and unrealistic sources intended to influence the public sphere. She had it ready to send with the packet she had tied with red, white, and blue ribbon , when it occurred to her that she was not just to him, that she was not giving him a fair chance. Editha, like a man, exercises her ability to use language by seeking knowledge from and acting in the public sphere instead of remaining, as was expected of women, in the private domain.
When at last he noisily bade her father and mother, "Well, good-night. In this story, William Dean Howells uses his characters to convey his own views on war. She could not accept for her country or herself a forced sacrifice. However, Terry was not merely a writer, but she was a talented writer. I know how sincere you are, and how-- I wish I had your undoubting spirit! Balcom, of Balcom's Works, New York; my daughter--" "Oh! But she felt safe for him through the strength of what she called her love. I came to tell Editha, but I hadn't got round to it. When his niece goes missing, his drive and bravery leads him on the search for her, but also leads him into conflict with newfound urge for revenge.
The first thing that popped in her mind was her lover George. The narrator plays a gender role that is degraded by her successful husband, who is a doctor, because she is a female. The belief that people who fought for the country are heroic and that it would be romantic for George to fight to win her sends him to a premature death that could have been avoided. Editha and George soon part ways at the train station, where George leaves with his regiment. For Editha, George's exuberance is a change from his usual tentative manner.
Analysis of Themes of Dean Howells' “Editha”'s
Gearson are opposed to the war that Editha is so excited about. During this time period the woman were expected to keep the house clean, care for their children, and listen to their husbands. In war, one can never say anything definitely because the perception The Soldier In Tim O Brien's The Things They Carried 990 Words 4 Pages The war forces people into situations where the pressure is too much and the environment forces a change on how one views himself. Robber Barons Analysis 2203 Words 9 Pages Third, there was the moral issue of Weyler;s treatment of the Cubans, which appealed to American humanitarianism Schweikart and Zinn 483. But I don't, now; I don't, indeed. Finally, I believe that he wants us to see how dangerous and terrifying war really is. Gearson gave him no heed.
Editha disagrees with the sentiment. The second is the date of publication online or last modification online. These forms of writing refuse to idealize or praise the subject while also avoiding artificial, fantasy, or mystical elements. The use of realistic or lifelike settings described by the author or narrated by a character, add a layer of realism to the story, even if the story itself is fictitious. This almost makes the lives taken during war seem less valuable, which is unacceptable. Interestingly, the only person who understands what the narrator needs is the narrator herself.
In some ways I think they are completely opposite. You thought it would be all right for my George, your George, to kill the sons of those miserable mothers and the husbands of those girls that you would never see the faces of. Being a devout Christian, conflict and struggle are among the first and foremost matters that we want to abolish. Through much persistence on her part, she persuades George to join and he becomes a captain. This message is gradually exposed along with the development of the characters, namely the narrator and her husband John, throughout the text. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make yourown.
Not but that she felt herself able to cope with a congenital defect of that sort, and make his love for her save him from himself. He dies in battle, and Editha mourns this loss; however, she never comprehends her role in his death. Editha uses three reasons to support her advocacy for the war, first, that to fight in the war will be glorious. These stories give its readers satire. In this ironic tragedy, W.
All the while, in her duplex emotioning, she was aware that now at the very beginning she must put a guard upon herself against urging him, by any word or act, to take the part that her whole soul willed him to take, for the completion of her ideal of him. Her beliefs gave a false hope and an unrealistic expectation as to what the ramifications of war actually are. Economic bonds also allowed political impacts to be exercised abroad and helped spread the American way of life. Yes, we've had a meeting at the town-hall, and everybody has volunteered; and they selected me for captain, and I'm going to the war, the big war, the glorious war, the holy war ordained by the pocket Providence that blesses butchery. Howells did this to show the difference between the idealistic and realistic versions of war. What she arrived at in speech was: " Well, I guess you've done a wicked thing, Editha Balcom.
I'll think it over; I'd like to believe as you do. All through their courtship, which was contemporaneous with the growth of the war feeling, she had been puzzled by his want of seriousness about it. He was very nearly perfect as he was, and he must be allowed to perfect himself. I wish I had some ice-water. He was also one of the first soliders killed in war.
In contrast to the previous work, this poem is set primarily in a World War I training camp, signifying the process young soldiers go through prior to deployment to the front line. The air was thick with the war feeling, like the electricity of a storm which had not yet burst. Aided by a crew of various rugged frontiersmen, they are also joined by their group's version of Sacagawea, a young Indian woman by the name Shaquinna incredible , who plays a big part in helping them find their way across the dangerous and unknown land ahead, as well as, eventually becoming Edwards' love interest. Editha regrets pushing George to join the war, and she wishes she would have died instead of forcing him to his death. Only, for once I happen to be right. In the case of Ethan, he is a wanderer in a society that relies heavily upon each other. People can never see the good in people they see the one mistake they have made.
