EDITHA BY WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS. Presenter Danielle Reites

Transcription

1 EDITHA BY WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS Presenter Danielle Reites

2 ABOUT THE AUTHOR William Dean Howells, 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).

3 ABOUT THE STORY First printed in Harper s Monthly magazine (Jan. 1905) Howells characteristically explores individuals who have been corrupted by their culture s worst values (Baym 375).

4 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)

5 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 OTHER MAJOR WORKS

6 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. What s the nature of the relationship between George Gearson 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 mother s and father s 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 herself as the heroine of a sentimental story as she is in George. What evidence in the story shows this? 5. Howells is careful to distinguish between women s and men s motives when he describes Editha s and George s response to the war. In what ways is this a story about gender as well as about idealism? 6. How has George s attitude toward the war changed when he comes to visit after being elected Captain? Why does he demand lots of clear ice-water this time? What does her father understand about George s condition that Editha doesn't? Why is he now so brave? Compare the ice-water here with the clouded liquid mentioned earlier.

7 WRITING PROMPTS 1. How is the story an example of Howell s 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 of this sentence: The mystery that had bewildered her was solved by the word [the artist had called George s mother s conduct vulgar ] ; and from that moment she rose from groveling in shame and selfpity, 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?

8 THEMES Misconception of battlefield being glorious Idealism being a corrupting influence War fever

9 WORKS CITED Baym, Nina, ed. William Dean Howells, The Norton Anthology of American Literature, 8 th ed. New York: Norton, Print. Campbell, Donna M. Reading and Discussion Questions on W.D. Howell s Editha. Donna M. Campbell, n.d. Web. 22 January Howells, William Dean. Editha. The Norton Anthology of American Literature, 8 th ed. Ed. Nina Baym. New York: Norton, Print.