Editha, by William Dean Howells

William Dean Howells was an advocate of realism in writing; he believed that literary art should reflect the reality of the common man and demonstrate the truth of everyday current issues. He believed in truthful writing and he accepted very little at face value. He practiced this belief in his own writing, and his story called “Editha” is a good example of this. In this ironic tragedy, W.D. Howells shows the truth and nature of war. He uses a combination of metaphoric characters, irony, and the pathos appeal to create an almost grotesque parody of the reality of war. In final analysis, Howells is successful in highlighting the consequences of war and inspiring the audience to question the wisdom of those who advocate armed conflict.

“Editha” is a story about a manipulative woman named Editha Balcom and her suitor, George Gearson. 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. George does join the fighting and is immediately killed. In the end of the story, Editha visits George’s grieving mother and is met with resentment and contempt.

In order to appeal to a resistant audience and appeal to their emotions, Howells uses the character Editha as a metaphor for the warmongers of his time. He intentionally portrays Editha in a subtly predatory light to influence the reader’s opinion of war advocates and of war itself. Editha is manipulative, self-serving, and delusional in her deeply ingrained sense of personal power. Her motives for wanting George to join the battle ar...

... middle of paper ...

...he warmongers will respond to the destruction of war in the same manner as Editha. They will seek to justify their actions after many have sacrificed their lives to prove their devotion to country and the surviving families will be left to pray to a peaceful God.

In closing, W.D Howells is successful in his use of these methods of argument. “Editha” paints a clear picture of the men who must fight and the people who casually call for war. He proves Editha’s motives are unworthy of devotion. After all, it is easy to sit back and call for war when it will be the common enlisted man who will die to provide this luxury. In the end, Howells made his point clear. War never comes without sacrifice or consequence.

Works Cited

Howells, W.D. “Editha.” The Heath Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Paul Lauter et al. Concise ed. Boston: Houghton, 2004. 1445-1454. Print.