William Dean Howells - Editha

                I was very interested in the story “Editha” by William Dean Howells.  Howells is not merely known for writing short stories and novels, but he is also known for publishing many stories that were for more than just enjoyment.  In this short story it is obvious that Howells is affected with the nation’s involvement in war.  In reality is seems as though he is more concerned with the motives behind our involvement than the actual actions we take.  Howells is also troubled with a much smaller, more personal matter, which is the relationship between the two main characters in this story.  The two main characters in this story are Editha and George.  I think that in writing this short story Howells wants us to see, and question, not only the reasons behind large issues such as nationalism but he also wants us to see, and question, the reasons behind smaller issues, such as our everyday relationships with those we are close to.  This short story shows a battle between George and Editha over whether the Spanish-American war is morally wrong and should be opposed or is the war ethical and worthy of support.  This portrays a study of realism and idealism.  I believe that Editha is used to show the beliefs of the American government.  Throughout the entire story Howells paints a picture of the intense battle between Realism and Romanticism through a war-torn couple, George Gearson and his fiance Editha.  The character of Mrs. Gearson, the realist mother of George, who is crippled with age but by no means is she weak conveys two points to the reader which is that one cannot have all of one and none of the other.  This short story states the unattractive realities of war among the false but determined attitude of some people.  Editha is the main character in this story and she is a naive young woman who pushes her man to enlist in the war.  She believes that fighting in the war would make George a hero and she would be honored to be the wife of a man who fought for his country.  Editha believes war to be a wonderful thing in being that it would free the oppressed and her country, the great liberator.  On the other hand, George symbolizes the other half of people which is those who believe that war means breaking the peace of the world.  When George dies in the war Editha is confronted with the truth when she faces George’s mother.  Mrs. Greason tries to make Editha see behind her naive ideas by lecturing her about young men killing each other and sons killing sons of other mothers.  These men are sent by their countries and not fully knowing the reasons for their violence.  Through Mrs. Greason, Howells makes the reader see through the romantic concepts and pro-war feelings of many people like Editha.  Mrs. Greason reveals the childishness, simplicity, senselessness, and recklessness of believing in war for the sake of patriotism.  I was hoping for a different outcome from the short story but through this I can now understand the real meaning behind it.