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What is the message of Editha?
The themes of "Editha" include war, media, and patriotism. War is a major theme in the story and the impetus of the events that take place. The story is set during the Spanish–American War, and the characters all have different perspectives and opinions on it.
What kind of character is Editha?
She is idealistic, determined, and partial to militaristic ideals. She believes that a hero must never retreat from conflict. Editha also harbors unrealistic expectations. In the story, she expects her fiance to fight, but she will admit no part in influencing his decision.
What was Editha doing at the end of the story?
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.
Who wrote Editha?
William Dean HowellsBetween the Dark and the Daylight (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1907). The story was first published in Harper's Monthly 110 (Jan. 1905).
How does Editha idealize war?
She romanticized the image of war through her love and courtship with her fiancé George, who she was eager to encourage into battle.
Is Editha an anti war story?
While most of the gendered criticism on 'Editha' focuses on the femininity of its title character, my interpretation expands gendered criticism of this classic anti-war tale by focusing on the role that masculinity plays in the story.
What is the conflict in Editha?
The plot of this story is focused on a war and whether or not George will join the fight. He is conflicted between his pacifist nature and social conditioning and what he knows Editha wishes for him to do. Editha is determined that George will fight in the war, even if she has to manipulate him into doing so.
What does Editha want and why?
She wants him to fight in the war to achieve “the completion of her ideal of him” (1), but she does not want to appear to encourage him herself; Editha prefers to offer him the opportunity to “perfect himself” (1). She also believes his enlisting will make him a hero who is “worthy” (1) of having won her.
How does Editha show realism?
Editha is one of his short stories, which exemplifies literary realism by telling the true nature of how people are exploited through the romance of war and patriotism. First of all, the author depicts two main characters, Editha and George, as ordinary people from the middle class.
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.
How does the plot reflect the realist nature of Editha?
How does the plot reflect the realist nature of the story? The plot reflects the characteristics of realist-era literature in that it does not revolve around dramatic events nor does it contain larger-than-life heroes. The story upholds the ideals and opinions of George, who is not a conventionally heroic character.
What is Editha by Howells about?
"Editha" is essentially about a women, named Editha, who attempts to pressure her fiance into enlisting for a war effort. She believes that the war is glorious and that he must enlist and take part in this amazing disturbance of piece. George, her fiance finally does enlist but is killed in the war.
What does Editha mean?
Editha as a girls' name is of Old English derivation, and Editha means "strife for wealth". Editha is a version of Edith (Old English): from êad gyô.
How popular is Editha?
Editha is an uncommon first name for women. Editha is an equally unique surname for both adults and children. (2000 U.S. DEMOGRAPHICS)
Which version is better?
Eda, Edie (#1635 LAST YEAR), Edith (#518), Edyth and Edythe are the prominent varying forms of Editha. Other variants, like Ediva, are seldom used.
Similar Names
Recommended sound-alike names are Agatha▼, Agetha, Aisha▲, Alisha ▼, Anisha, Aretha▼, Artha, Ayisha, Bartha, Cintha, Cyntha, Eartha, Edenia, Edina, Edira, Edlinna, Edma, Edmea, Edra, Edwena, Edwinna, Edyna, Efimia, Eigra, Eilith, Eitna, Elata, Eletta, Eliana▲, Elicia, Elidia, Elisa ▲, Elish, Elisha, Elisia, Elissa, Elita, Elithia, Elitta, Eliza, Ellita, Eltha, Emilla, Erica▼, Ericka ▼, Erikka, Erinna, Erisha, Ertha, Etha, Ethna, Etta▼, Eubha, Evia, Evita, Githa, Gretha, Iantha, Ihisha, Juditha, Kadisha, Keitha, Leitha, Lisha, Maisha, Oletha, Reatha, Retha ▼, Saisha, Tabitha▼, Tacitha, Talitha, Tisha▼, Trisha ▼ and Tyisha.
What does Editha believe?
Editha believes that a man should prove himself worthy of her. She would have preferred that George do something grand to secure her love from the beginning. Now that war is upon them, Editha believes that Providence has intervened on her behalf. She likens the coming war to a sacred undertaking.
What does the painter tell Editha?
The story ends with an artist consoling Editha. The painter tells Editha that she cannot understand people who discount the positive consequences of war. Her support buoys Editha, who rises from her "shame and self-pity" to embrace the ideal of war once again.
What does Editha think of George's courage?
She likens the coming war to a sacred undertaking. Editha also believes that George's ability to show courage proves his worthiness of her. During their interaction, however, George expresses some clear reservations. He questions the rush to moralize war and begs to know what Editha would have him believe.
Why does Editha say "Now is his chance"?
Now is his chance, because the Spanish-American War has been declared. Editha joyfully repeats jingoistic newspaper phrases to George, but he remains ironic, thoughtful, and rational. When George leaves Editha’s presence after war has been declared, Editha’s mother says that she hopes that George will not enlist, but Editha hopes that he will.
What happened to Editha and George?
After all, he is her only son. Editha and George soon part ways at the train station, where George leaves with his regiment. In due time, Editha receives news that George has been killed in battle. She descends into deep depression and mourns for a time.
What does George say to Editha?
Later, George comes to Editha and reveals that he was the first in their community to sign up to fight. He calls himself a "convert" to war, and Editha hands her letter (and package) to him. For his part, George fears that his mother will take his change of heart poorly. After all, he is her only son.
Who is Editha Gearson's fiancé?
She insists that her fiancé, George Gearson , a conscientious objector, fight in the Spanish-American War.
What is Editha about?
Editha is a fascinating study of ideology, the harms of toxic masculinity, the misconceptions of war, the damage inevitably resulting from those misconceptions and how ideology perpetuates itself to grind men and women into the lifeless automata needed for "God's war" and "the country" and for "honor.".
What is the story of Editha?
Editha is a short story by realist American writer William Dean Howells about a lady who pushes her fiancé to go to war to be worthy of her, even though he is a conscientious objector.
Who wrote Editha?
Nov 30, 2019 Pauline Van etc. rated it liked it. Editha is a short story by realist American writer William Dean Howells about a lady who pushes her fiancé to go to war to be worthy of her, even though he is a conscientious objector. This is a harsh story where Editha’s personality is revealed as cruel and narcissist.
Who is Editha in the movie?
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.
What is Editha by William Dean Howells about?
Editha is a short story by realist American writer William Dean Howells about a lady who pushes her fiancé to go to war to be worthy of her, even though he is a conscientious objector. This is a harsh story where Editha’s personality is revealed as cruel and narcissist.
What does Editha continue to do?
The majority, like Editha, in the face of a threat to their uniform ideals, simply push past and continue on in the name of patriotism and blind allegiance to what could possibly be unveiled as a morally unjust cause.
What is Editha talking about in the book?
When the story begins, Editha is talking to her fiancé George about the war that has just begun. Although George seems quite against the war and his views on it, Editha is firm on hers, and hers is that he must go to battle.
What is Editha by William Dean Howells about?
Any type of essay. We’ll even meet a 3-hour deadline. William Dean Howells’ short story “Editha,” published in 1905, revolves around ideals about war and the romanticized vision of it. Through each character, Howells presents a contrasting view of war.
Why does Editha not want to take part in the war?
Editha does not just want but needs her fiancé to take part in the war because if he does not, then he will never meet her ideal of him. Despite her decision to not urge or push George towards any decision, she does anyways by continuing to talk about war and the glory of it.
What is Editha's view on war?
The majority view, as Editha sees it, is that war is romantic and proud and patriotic. The one percent’s view, as George’s mother knows it, is that war is death and brutal and horrible. George’s mother continues to drag Editha’s beliefs on war claiming, “I thank my God he didn’t live to do it!
Is Editha a war story?
William Dean Howells’ short story “Editha” may have all the makings of a romantic war tale de spite a deep underlying connection between the characters and the portions of America. Editha, who represents the majority, finds war romantic and glorious.
Is Editha a force ahead?
Although George is questionable on war, especially is own participation in one, Editha is full force ahead, indicating that the romanticized idea of glory for her through her husband trumps the moral ground upon which George’s views stand on. This leads to the idea that Editha, like the majority of America, holds a mindless ignorance.
