EDITHA Presenter

BY WILLIAM DEAN Danielle

Reites
HOWELLS
 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

William Dean Howells,

1837-1920
Born in Martinsville, OH
Know at the height of
his career as the Dean
of American Letters
(Baym 374).
Represented both the
traditional and the
innovative through his
promotion of a new
American realism
(374).
 ABOUT THE STORY

First printed in Harpers

Monthly magazine (Jan.
1905)
Howells characteristically
explores individuals who
have been corrupted by
their cultures worst
values (Baym 375).
 HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Spanish- American War, 1898

Most viewed the war as a way to grant freedom for the Cubans
who, at the time, were fighting for the same independence
America fought for during the revolution, only instead of England
being the ruling power, it was Spain. (Belasco and Johnson 112)
Many failed to see or even question the other motives pushing
the war ahead which we now know resulted in America's taking
over of many formerly -Spanish colonies, an imperialist move
rather than an action to spread freedom. Furthermore, war was
something distant to the American public, except perhaps in the
South, and many focused on the glorious aspects of the war
instead of its true horrors (Ascensio).

Howells spearheading literary realism believed that ordinary

middle-class life deserved literary respect (375)
 OTHER MAJOR WORKS

A Hazard of New
Fortunes (1890)
-depicts class and
ethnic conflict
An Imperative Duty
(1892)
-depicts racial
passing
A Traveler from
Altruria (1894)
-a eutopian romance
 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Whats the nature of the relationship between George Gear son and
Editha Bascom? In what ways can their relationship itself be
characterized as a struggle for power over ideals ?*
2. What tactics does Editha use to make George believe as she does
about the war?
3. Was George brought up to want to go to war? What are his mothers
and fathers beliefs? What profession did he wish to follow before
becoming a lawyer?
4. Howells gives ample evidence that Editha is as much interested in
reading her self as the heroine of a sentimental stor y as she is in
George. What evidence in the stor y shows this?
5. Howells is careful to distinguish between womens and mens motives
when he describes Edithas and Georges response to the war. In
what ways is this a stor y about gender as well as about idealism?
6. How has Georges attitude toward the war changed when he comes to
visit af ter being elected Captain? Why does he demand lots of clear
ice-water this time? What does her father understand about Georges
condition that Editha doesn't? Why is he now so brave? Compare the
ice-water here with the clouded liquid mentioned earlier.
 WRITING PROMPTS
1. How is the story an
example of Howells of this sentence: The
ideas about realism
(requires research of his
writings on realism)?*
2. Editha sees herself as
being religious. Note the
many references to God
in this story; is she right
about her religious
beliefs? In what ways
does the narrative voice
undercut them? What
place does God play in
the conduct of war,
according to this story ?*
3. Comment on the meaning
mystery that had bewildered
her was solved by the word
[the artist had called
Georges mothers conduct
vulgar] ; and from that
moment she rose from
groveling in shame and self -
pity, and began to live again
in the ideal. Is there ever a
time in which Editha truly
understands what she has
done? Does she ever
experience an epiphany?*
4. How is this story a
commentary on idealism?
 THEMES

Misconception of
battlefield being
glorious
Idealism being a
corrupting influence
War fever
 WORKS CITED

Baym, Nina , ed. William Dean Howells, 1837 -1920. The

Nor ton Anthology of American Literature, 8 th ed. New York:
Norton, 2012. 374-375. Print.
Campbell, Donna M. Reading and Discussion Questions on W.D.
Howells Editha. Donna M. Campbell, n.d. Web. 22 January
2013.
Howells, William Dean. Editha. The Nor ton Anthology of
American Literature, 8 th ed. Ed. Nina Baym. New York: Norton,
2012. 376-385. Print.