In the short story, “Editha” William Dean Howells writes about a manipulative woman named Editha who insists that her soon to be fiancé George Gearson fight in the Spanish-American War. As she bases her views about the war on the yellow journalism she reads she forces her fiancé to sign up and fight for their country out of believing “a man who wants to win her must do something to deserve her” (1389). In fact, this leads Editha to give George an ultimatum by choosing war to save their engagement but all soon backfires when finding out that George was killed in one of the first battles. This story has a deeper meaning in a way that Howells creates a sense of mixed emotions on Editha and if she ever loved George or if she was overtaken with …show more content…
As for this Editha is constantly forcing George to consider enlisting in the war as said in the story, “It flashed upon her, if he could do something worthy to have won her be a hero, her hero- it would be even better that if he had done it before asking for her hand” stating her love for being married to someone who fights for her country is something she would rather have than his love alone (1389). However, this story recounts the conflict between the two people Editha and George who incidentally come not only from two different strata of American society but also from widely different geographical areas—The Balcoms are from New York and the Gearsons are from a place in western Iowa that causes the central conflict of their differing views toward the impending war (Engelhart). As a result of this Editha thinks the war is a part of “God's plan designed to liberate a people who have been struggling for years under the cruelest oppression” (1390). The peace which George prefers she labels an ignoble peace, and the war in her imagination becomes a sacred and holy instrument as for George, Editha's assurance, her certainty about the rightness of the country's position and her platitudes about a pocket Providence about the holiness of war only cause him to wonder further about his lack of conviction, and especially his feeling that all wars are stupid, that God is only a disinterested observer of the affairs of man, a claim that Editha finds blasphemous (Engelhart). This proves to the reader how she is obsessed with the idealistic view of war than the realistic by showing how different they view the conflict creating more drama to the illusion of what will happen during the Spanish-American
...l. “Ge-or-ge,’ she called in an exaggerated Gringo accent. He looked back. Tears were running down her rigid, expressionless face. ‘Cabron!’ she said. ‘Vendido sanavabiche!’” (Paredes 294) In this way, George – no longer Guánlito – has politically and culturally betrayed his people, and “is not is not the tragic hero who has died in defense of his people” (Mendoza 148).
In Shakespeare’s “The Life of King Henry V,” set in England in the early fifteenth century, with the famous and heroic English King, Henry V, claiming his “rights” to the French throne. This claim caused complications and the declaration of war on both English and French soil. This political war, then turn into a route of complicated negotiations, after King Henry’s terrifying forces had successfully defeated French forces. As the result of the war, a peace treaty was made, and part of that agreement was the marriage between King Henry V and the daughter of the King of France, Katherine of Valois. An analysis of the both King Henry’s and Katherine’s relationship reveals that both had conflicting perspectives of one another, which resulted as a marriage in political unions of two powerful nations rather than a union of two lovers.
Sepúlveda, Juan Ginés de. Just War Against Barbarians. Essay. The Spanish Tradition in America. 1544.
“From Lieutenant Nun,” a memoir written by doña Catalina de Erauso, tells an intriguing story of a young Spanish female and her advantageous journey through Spain and the New World. Her family intends for her to become a nun but, that is not the life she seeks for herself. Therefore, she breaks away from the convent in hopes of finding somewhere to make her fortune by passing as a male. Catalina’s story is noteworthy because it gives readers another perspective of exploration focusing on self-discovery during the seventeenth century emphasizing how passing as a male is the only thing that secured her ability to explore. In the memoir, Catalina repeatedly reminisces about clothing and, whether she consciously or unconsciously does so, she allows the reader to see that this is an important aspect of her exploration. Throughout Catalina’s journey, clothing plays an increasingly important role not only in her travels but, also her personal life because it symbolized ones status, role, gender and privileges.
Federico Garcia Lorca considered the “problem of women” in Spain in the early 20th century to be the oppression of women which was created by ambiguous Spanish traditions. During this time period women were struggling to find their voice in the political, social and economic issues of Spanish society. Only to be viewed as fragile, objects of beauty and regarded as submissive sex objects. Most women were expected to marry whom their parents arranged for them, take care of their home, have children and remain voiceless. Federico Garcia Lorca illustrates how society viewed women during this time and their struggle to find their voice throughout his plays Blood Wedding, Yerma and The House of Bernarda Alba.
The Milagro Beanfield War, written by John Nichols, demonstrates several themes on life. They range from the interactions of the rich and the poor to the hot arid farming climate in New Mexico. All of which have significant importances in this famous novel. Perhaps the most important theme that is represented in this novel is the idea that people should do what is wright no matter the consequences. People are constantly faced with the choice of right and wrong. What they choose not only effects themselves, but everyone else involved. That is why being true to yourself is being true to everyone. "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? Yet if I am for myself only, what am I?"(p. 1). This theme carries the plot throughout the book.
“Editha” is a story about a young naïve woman named Editha, who insists that her fiancé, George Gearson, a methodical man, to fight in the Spanish-American War. Editha blindly and ignorantly believes in the heroic romanticism of war and is totally oblivious to the real consequences of battle. She is overjoyed that war is being declared and cannot apprehend his hate for war and his reluctance to fight in a war. Editha believes that her boyfriend is not a real 'man' unless he goes to fight for his country. George has is his chance, because the Spanish-American War has been declared. The fact that George does not seem to take anything very seriously irritates Editha, and she practically torments him into enlisting in the army when war is declared
This story is about a woman named Editha. Editha was engaged to George and told him it was his duty to his country to sign up and go serve in the war. Editha wanted a hero for a husband and she secretly wanted him to go to war so that she would have that hero. After an argument with him she finally convinces him to go. George dies in the war and his mother blames Editha for his death. Editha is in denial and accepts no responsibility for the death of George or the reasons that he chose to go to war in the first place.
Now Howell uses George's view on war, his family history and even his death to symbolize realism. From the beginning George sees war as a negative thing that can bring so much pain and suffering contrary to Editha's views. His family had a personal experience with war, having his father lose his arm at war shaped his family's view on war influencing George. His mother's straight forward words about girls that give up their loved ones thinking they will come back alive and unaltered, only expecting to "kill someone else- kill the sons of those miserable mothers and husbands of those girls.
Isabel’s past is full of tragedy and sadness due to her family’s connections to the Chilean government. Isabel traveled to Chile with her mother after her parents got divorced. Isabel’s life improved significantly after she got married and got herself a reputation as a successful journalist. All of it changed after her uncle, Chilean president Salvador Allende, was killed. The persecution against Salvador’s family and friends led to the "creation” of Isabel Allende. Isabel’s first book “The House of Spirits” became a worldwide bestseller. Isabel had to overcome many obstacles living in Venezuela. Isabel got herself out of her own exile. Isabel was able to write “The House of Spirits” thanks to her grandfather who she could not see, because of her exile. Allende’s grandfather was dying. Isabel started writing a letter to her “dad” knowing that he was not going to read it. Isabel said “I think I write fiction but I don’t” This summarizes how Isabel’s writing style has a different approach to literature. She uses something that is more realistic and appea...
Lope de Vega’s play touches upon several key components and ideas that were brought up in many of the other stories read throughout the semester. This included the role of gender and how men and women are viewed differently in the Spaniard town of Fuenteovejuna. Another topic included the importance of family, love, and relationships and their connection on loyalty, trust, and personal beliefs. The last major influence found in other literature and in Fuenteovejuna, were the political and religious references made throughout the play. Even though Lope de Vega didn’t make these views obvious, the reader could still pick up on their connotation and the references made towards these specific ideas. With all of this in mind, each of these components played an important role in each civilization read, and even over 1,000 years later it continues to be a social topic as well as a large part of the culture. The only difference a reader or scholar could make for this particular piece of literature is its authenticity and how it was based on a true event. Regardless, new views on power and how one obtain it become apparent through the dialogue between characters like Laurencia and the Commander.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, author of Love in the Time of Cholera, depicts his characters by having them act in certain ways, in ways of love and care towards others. Each character acts certain ways to certain people, either to gain respect, love, friendship or hatred. Marquez’s character Florentino Ariza, is desperately in love with Fermina Daza, a beautiful young lady (early in the novel), who promises him her hand in marriage then breaks that promise by marrying Dr. Juvenal Urbino. Although heartbroken Ariza’s love for Fermina would still continue over many long years, thus showing how much he was in love with her.
...e role of women but also keep alive the struggle between civilization and barbarism during the begging of the oil era and the political criticism to Venezuela’s president Juan Vicente Gomes (1857 – 1935) regime. Romulo and De Fuentes used themes such as Mr. Danger, Coronel Pernalete and Doña Barbara to describe his presidency. Coronel Pernalete, and specifically the scene of dotting the H to have them sound makes reference to Gomez illiteracy; a man who rose to power due to his ample knowledge of military strategies. Doña Barbara and Mr. Danger represent Gomes mismanage of the country; on one side, Mr. Danger serves as an example of the US domination in Latin America while Dona Barbara on the other makes reference to his violent way of governing and the fact that, during his presidency, a significant percent of Venezuela’s wealth ended up on his hand and Wall Street.
A Farewell to Arms is clearly an anti-war novel; the story swifts from naive game playing, through the stages of love and hope, to pure despair and an understanding that a war can lead to no winners. The passionate love story of the novel strengthens the message still more by showing the ironic similarity, but also its discrepancy, with the war. The discrepancy is to be taken into serious account, this discrepancy is the important message of this novel; make love not war.