William Dean Howells published “Editha” in 1905. It revolves around ideals concerning war and a romanticized vision. Howells reveals a different perspective on war with each of his characters. Editha’s vision of God-planned glorious war can convince her fiancé George to fight. After he leaves, his mother expresses her opinion on the subject. Each character represents both a viewpoint and a segment of America. Editha represents America’s idealistic majority; George, the realistic minority that is easily persuaded; and George’s Mother, the realistic one percent with strong morals.
Editha, the main character, romanticizes war, which makes her a symbol of America’s morally and idealistically weak majority. Editha, the main character of the story is discussing with her fiance George the new war. Editha’s views are firm, even though George is against war. She insists that George must fight. Howells makes it clear that she is adamant about her position. “…she understood that, at this stage, she could not encourage him in any manner to act or speak the way that her entire soul wanted. This was to complete her ideal for him. Editha is not only wanting but also needing her fiancee, George, to join the war. Otherwise he would never be able to meet her ideal. She continues to speak about the war and its glory, despite her decision not to push George in any direction. John B. Humma says in a story critique that the majority “almost always” does what they want. Editha follows the majority’s lead, regardless of what her fiance thinks. The chauvinistic minority has no personal views, only a vision of a united and idealistic nation. In a letter to him, she pushes the extreme of her views to the point where it is obvious. Editha warns her fiance, in her letter: “There will be no honor greater than America to me.” There is no other way to honor in this great time (Howells 311). She values her idealistic views on war more than any relationship. After all, if she doesn’t feel the same about America that she does and her fiance would not risk his own life to defend it, she wouldn’t want to be in a relationship with him. Editha does not care about George’s morals when it comes to war. Editha wants her husband to be a hero, regardless of what George thinks. This makes Editha seem like a typical American, with a blind ignorance. Editha does not consider all possible outcomes when she pushes her fiance to war. She only thinks of those that will bring her glory. Humma has a comment on this: “Her blind adherence to a sentimental chauvinistic idea reflects majority views, but Editha is also so mindless …”. Humma claims that the majority view is blind. It’s because it’s idealistic, and only focuses on patriotism. They don’t care about individuals, or even their moral beliefs. After her fiance died in war, Editha continued her life as usual. Editha goes on with her normal life even after what anyone would consider a tragic event. Editha is not alone in her decision to continue living as normal despite what would be a terrible tragedy for anyone.
George, on the other hand, seems to think war is wrong. He often questions if it’s the right thing to do, but he ends up going along with society due to his internal conflict and pressure. This makes him a representative of America’s weaker minority, who are often willing to compromise their morals in order to fit into the mainstream. George’s fiance Editha is the one who initially pressures George into war. George questions whether war really is the answer to the problems of the country: “It doesn’t matter if this war, which seems particularly needless and wanton is all that matters; every war makes me sick. Why couldn’t the situation have been resolved in a reasonable manner? (Howells 309). George admits that he finds war unreasonable. In contrast to the general consensus, his morals suggest that there may be other ways of settling disagreements. George’s reasoning is strong, and he believes that war is not the best way to settle disagreements. Because he is not blindly idealistic, but uses reasoning and morals to support his views, George represents the minority in America. George’s views begin to deteriorate when Editha or others challenge them. Hummas writes that “Howells, through George, dramatizes America’s inability to act on her moral convictions or will”. Although convictions and ideas of morality are present, they cannot stand up to the brutal patriotism displayed by the majority. George and minority are doomed. George only follows the majority’s judgment when he joins war. George does not follow his own better judgement, despite his initial views on war. Hummas in his criticism says that, although moral thoughts may be present in George’s mind, they are pushed and swallowed. Morality is there but actions do not show it. George represents the minority since, like him, George never acts to enforce their moral beliefs. Both of them let their moral beliefs reside in themselves and followed the majority instead.
George’s mum represents the realistic, morally strong, one percent America. George has experienced wars before and she is well-versed in the issues. She also has the courage and character necessary to convey this. George’s mother is not introduced until Editha visits her after George’s passing. Editha’s mother expresses her opinion as soon as she enters her home. The mother seems to blame Editha’s son’s demise. Editha’s morally weak but strong views drove her son to his death. George’s mum argues Editha is right about her judgment and ideals. I don’t know if he liked to die …. I’m sure he decided to go but I knew how much it would cost him by the cost I incurred when I learned about it …. “You didn’t know he was going to die when you sent it” (Howells 312). George’s mom digs deep into Editha’s ideas, just like the one percent that George’s mum represents goes against what the majority believes. George’s Mother knows Editha, who romanticized war and influenced her son to die, is responsible for George’s death. George, without Editha, would not have gone into war. The majority wouldn’t have influenced such a small minority. Hummas compares George’s Mother to Editha’s opposite: “George’s Mother…is crippled”. Once strong, she’s now either confined to a wheelchair or bed, but despite that, she displays a strong moral character. Editha, the majority’s representative, is physically fit. Her morals and ideals are poor. George’s Mother knows Editha believed that her fiance was going to come back and bring her honor and pride. But she also realizes that Editha is being idealistic. Editha is of the opinion that war can be romantic, patriotic, and even proud. George’s mum knows that one percent thinks war is horrible and violent. George’s Mother continues to drag Editha s war beliefs, saying “I thank God that he was not alive to commit it!” I thank God he was killed first, so he won’t be living with the blood of others on his hands!” George’s Mother thanks God for her separation of gods. The dividing line in America is even more evident because the mother thanked God. The gods and morals on both sides are also different. George’s mothers implies that Editha and her god are not the same. She is also saying that George’s morals cannot be related to Editha. George’s mom represents that one percent of America who are firmly rooted in their morals and have a strong desire to defend those beliefs.
William Dean Howells has written a short tale called “Editha”. It may appear to be a romantic story about war, but it is actually a deeply rooted connection between its characters and various parts of America. Editha is the voice of the majority who finds war beautiful and romantic. She is a blind patriot and idealist, just like the majority. George represents the minorities. He holds a belief that war is wrong but he ultimately follows the majority because he has no moral basis. In the same way as the minority, his feelings are easily overridden by the ideals held by the majority. George’s mother represents the tiny one-percent and she is firm in her opinion. She, too, is not afraid of standing up for what is right and tearing down views that are lacking in morals. These characters are more important than their role in Howells’ “Editha”, and this makes the story more than just an account of war, grief, and a dead fiance.
Cited Work
No, this is not correct. You should use the same phrasing for both the original and the paraphrase. A correct paraphrase would be “References Cited.”
William Dean Howells wrote many works. “Editha.” Norton Anthology of American Literature. 8th ed. Ed. According to Nina Baym, ____________________________________________________. W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. released the work in New York in 2013. 307-317. Print.
John B. Humma The Markham Review, 8 (Summer 1978): 77 – 80. Rpt. Short Story Criticism Ed. Anna Sheets-Nesbitt. Vol. 36. Detroit: Gale, 2000. The Literature Resource Center is a source for obtaining information and resources about literature. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
