Editha Essay
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Literary Realism in Editha
After World War I, American people and the authors among them were disillusioned by the effects that war had on their society. America required a literature that would expound what had happened and what was happening to their society. The realistic movement of the late 19th century saw authors accurately depict life and it is problems. This realistic movement evolved because of many changes and transitions in American culture. In the late 1800 s, the United States was experiencing swift growth and change because of a changing economy, society, and culture. The increase of immigrants into America was one of the reasons. Realists endeavored to give a comprehensive picture of modern life by presenting the entire picture. Literary realism as defined by Encyclopedia Britannica, is:
an approach that attempts to describe life without idealization or romantic subjectivity. Although realism is not limited to any one-century or group of writers, it is most often associated with the literary movement in 19th-century France, specifically with the French novelists Flaubert and Balzac. George Eliot introduced realism into England, and William Dean Howells introduced it into the United States. Realism has been chiefly concerned with the commonplaces of everyday life among the middle and lower classes, where character is a product of social factors and environment is the integral element in the dramatic complications.
In relation to that, definition, William Dean Howells, while opposing idealization, made his comic criticisms of society. He did this by comparing and contrasting American culture with those of other countries. He did not try to give one view of life but instead attempted to show the different classes, manners, and stratifications of life in America. He believed that novels should present life as it is, not as it might be. Howells was a champion of realism in American literature. He has written more than one hundred books. Among them is; The Rise of Silas Lapham (1885), A Modern Instance (1882), A Boy s Town (1890) and My Year in a Log Cabin (1893). Throughout his writings, Howells attempts to make his characters real with faults and fears as are commonly found in reality. 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.
While using the realist style in Editha, Howells also adds a humorous edge by commenting on American values. The character George Gearson possesses a trace of sardonic wit, I never thought I should like to kill a man; but now I shouldn t care; and the smokeless powder lets you see the man drop that you kill (Howells 462). Moreover, the irony is not lost in the statement, What a thing it is to have a country that can t be wrong, but if it is, is right anyway! (462). 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. The author gives you an idea about this feeling here, All through their courtship (Editha) had been puzzled by his want of seriousness about it. He seemed to despise it even more than he abhorred it. (458). Furthermore, Editha felt she had to explain his lack of bloodlust, That would have been a survival of his old life (458). Editha made up Georges mind for him because she felt, any man who won her would have done something to win her if he could do something worthy to have won her it would be grander (459). More often than not, what Editha utters reveals her actual character. She describes his tone as ghastly when he speaks of testing his courage, yet when presented with the idea of war, she responds, How glorious! (458). Once more, when we (the readers) are informed by the author that Editha, had believed in the war from the beginning (459), to tell the truth we find Editha seems gung-ho about the war, I call any war glorious that is for the liberation of people (459). In addition, when her mother suggests she has done a wicked thing, Editha announces her possible intent; I haven t done anything yet (461). Editha manifests to have a time-honored belief with the notion of war, I call it a sacred war. A war for liberty and humanity you will see it just as I do, yet (459). Another time her position is presented when she says, You don t belong to yourself now; you don t even belong to me. You belong to your country (463).
Howells illustrates Editha s romanticism when he presents the pretty box in which she keeps her letters and old flowers. Along with the fact she, enshrines her engagement ring in the heart of the packet, placed in the box because she had a feeling that George may not do what she expected of him, He went away without kissing her, and she felt it a suspension of their engagement (460). Later she even gives the impression of entertaining herself with the thought that if George were to lose an arm in the war, like his father, then he should have three arms instead of two, for both of hers should be his for life (465). These viewpoints set a forewarning tone when taking into consideration Editha s apparent motives.
Howells realist approach lends itself throughout this story; which is most apparent when George does not enlist until he is cajoled by mob-mentality after a night of drinking. This is demonstrated when George says, It was all going one way, and I thought I would sprinkle a little cold water on them. But you can t do that with a crowd that adores you...I suggested volunteering then and there how well the worse reason looks when you try to make it appear better I believe I was the first convert to the war in that crowd to-night (462). The next day George scarcely represses his true feelings about what he has begun when he says, I m in for the thing now, and we ve got to face our future (464). He also admits to Editha that he only signed up because he was drunk, I consecrated myself to your god of battles last night by pouring too many libations...
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