The Symbolism Of War In Editha By William Dean Howells

Editha by William Dean Howells is clearly a political story about realism and war. The story revolves around a young woman, Editha, who pushes her fiancé to go to war and ends up losing him. I “abhorred” the plot and thought the story was quite boring. I wanted more of George’s perspective, and less of his manipulative, evil, fiancé. I also thought the time frame could have been depicted better, it’s unclear to me how much time actually went by for George’s absence, or how long Editha grieved for. Although not my favorite story, the ironic tragedy is conveniently composed of symbolism and pathos throughout the short story.

The opening line, already begins to symbolize the war as a storm and compares it to the unpredictable “[…] electricity of a storm […]” subtly foreshadowing the death of George. This is important in embracing the danger and severity of the war. The clouded drink symbolizes George’s thoughts. His mind is cloudy with the thoughts of the “sacred war” that’s for “liberty” and “humanity” and his hesitation and doubt of the war. This scene is portrayed in a manner where George is hesitantly drinking his drink and gulping at the thought of going to war.

Editha’s letter symbolizes the patriotic spirit of the Americans during the war.

She makes it clear that him going to war was the best decision he could have made for the two of them to honor their country. Also, throughout the entire story, the character, Editha could be symbolized as the opposite of Howells’ beliefs. He creates a character that is completely for the war and utilizes her to enforce the pro-war thoughts onto her fiancé. Howells embodies everyone that is pro-war during the Spanish American War in Editha and then contrasts her with George who portrays everyone who is against the war. He is successful in achieving the dramatic contrast that ultimately leads to the death of George. This is significant in showing the consequences of the war and the realism writing of the time

period.
George’s mom, Mrs. Gearson, symbolizes Howell’s beliefs because she was completely against the war and blames Editha for the death of her son, just like Howells blames the people like Editha for the deaths of many young men. George even said, “She brought me up to think war a fool thing as well as a bad thing […]” demonstrating his anti-war sentiments.
Howells also utilizes pathos towards the end of the story to get his anti-war sentiment message across. Beginning with the background information about George’s upbringing that made him avoid the war. The fact that George’s father lost his arm and only had bad views about the war, makes me feel bad for George because Editha forced him to be there. After George’s passing, Mrs. Gearson explains how George was sent to kill people that also have mothers and wives but didn’t have say in being in the war. This makes the audience aware of the effects of war and the reality of what it actually is, which Howells is against and is evoking emotion to effectively present his anti-war sentiments.
Although somewhat one sided and confusing, Editha, shows the idealism of the late 1890s. William Dean Howells’, Editha, is a tragedy with an anti-war message that is executed with symbolism and pathos.