Editha by William Dean Howells
"Editha" by William Dean Howells is a poignant short story that explores themes of war, gender roles, and the idealism often associated with conflict. Set against the backdrop of the Spanish-American War, the narrative follows Editha, a young woman whose romanticized views of war are heavily influenced by sensationalist journalism. She pressures her fiancé, George Gearson, a conscientious objector, to enlist, believing that a true man must prove his worth through military heroism. George's reluctance to engage in war, coupled with his thoughtful demeanor, starkly contrasts with Editha's jingoistic enthusiasm.
The story takes a tragic turn when George is killed in battle, leading Editha to confront the harsh realities of war and its devastating consequences. Her initial excitement fades away in the face of George's mother's bitterness, which challenges Editha's naive perceptions. The narrative not only critiques the glorification of war but also examines the ways in which societal expectations can shape individual choices and relationships. Ultimately, "Editha" serves as a reflection on the complexities of love, loss, and the often painful awakening to reality that many must face in the wake of conflict.
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Editha by William Dean Howells
First published: 1905
Type of plot: Social realism
Time of work: 1898
Locale: Balcom's Works, New York
Principal Characters:
Editha Balcom , a pretty young woman, eager for war but ignorant of its consequencesGeorge Gearson , her fiancé, who opposes warMrs. Gearson , George's widowed mother
The Story
An impressionable young woman, Editha bases her sentimental views about war on the yellow journalism that she reads in the current newspapers. She insists that her fiancé, George Gearson, a conscientious objector, fight in the Spanish-American War. She is ecstatic that war is being declared and cannot understand his dislike for war and his unwillingness to fight in a war. She believes that a man who wants to win her must do something to deserve her. 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. Editha puts her engagement ring and various mementos into a package with a letter to George telling him to keep them until he enlists. She decides to keep the package for a while in case George does the right thing. George returns to the Balcom household that evening with the news that he has led the prowar speakers at the town meeting and will be the captain of the local volunteers.
Editha gives George her letter as he leaves, to show him how serious she is about the war. She tells him that war is in the order of Providence: There are no two sides about war; there is nothing now but their country. George remains silent after Editha's words, musing and pensive. Editha brings him a glass of lemonade and calls the war a sacred war, a war for liberty and humanity. However, she notices a strange thing in men; they seem to feel bound to do what they believe, and not think a thing is finished when they say it, as women do. George muses that he should have been a preacher after all, and he asks Editha to help his widowed mother, who opposes war, if he is killed. Editha writes to Mrs. Gearson, who is not well enough to reply.
Word comes that George is dead, killed in one of the first battles. Editha becomes ill but does not die. She eventually goes with her father to Iowa to see Mrs. Gearson, who surprises her with her cold bitterness and irony. Mrs. Gearson derides Editha's eagerness to send George off to kill other young men and Editha's assumption that George would suffer only some trifling, glamorous wound and return to her in glory. Mrs. Gearson ends by saying she was glad George was killed before he could kill some other mother's son, and she attacks Editha for wearing mourning clothes. Instead of being aware of the reality of war and its consequences, Editha had been swept up by the sentimentality of war and the glamour and escapism of fighting a war in a foreign land.
That summer, a visiting lady painter consoles Editha. She says that the war was good for the country, that Editha's behavior was exemplary, and that Mrs. Gearson's behavior was vulgar. At this final word, Editha's misery falls away and she begins to live once again in the ideal.
Bibliography
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