Editha, Realism in

A detailed Summary of Editha, Realism in

After World War I, American people and the authors among them were disillusioned by the effects that war had on their society. America required a literature that would expound what had happened and what was happening to their society. The realistic movement of the late 19th century saw authors accurately depict life and it is problems. This realistic movement evolved because of many changes and transitions in American culture. In the late 1800's, the United States was experiencing swift growth and change because of a changing economy, society, and culture. The increase of immigrants into America was one of the reasons. Realists endeavored to give a comprehensive picture of modern life by presenting the entire picture. The true definition of literary realism as defined by Encyclopedia Britannica is an approach that attempts to describe life without idealization or romantic subjectivity. Although realism is not limited to any one-century or group of writers, it is most o!

ften associated with the literary movement in 19th-century France, specifically with the French novelists Flaubert and Balzac. George Eliot introduced realism into England, and William Dean Howells introduced it into the Unite

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In relation to that, William Dean Howells, while opposing idealization, made his comic criticisms of society. He did this by comparing and contrasting American culture with those of other countries. He did not try to give one view of life but instead attempted to show the different classes, manners, and stratification of life in America. He believed that novels should present life as it is, not as it might be. Howells was a champion of realism in American literature. He has written more than one hundred books. Among them is; The Rise of Silas Lapham (1885), A Modern Instance (1882), A Boy's Town (1890) and My Year in a Log Cabin (1893). Throughout his writings, Howells attempts to make his characters real with faults and fears as are commonly found in reality. Howells utilizes literary realism in his short story Editha to communicate the reality of war and to portray the romanticism Americans had created around the concept of war.

had not died, " ...she had the fever that she expected of herself, but she did not die in it...and it did not last long" (465). When she remembers that she had promised to go see his mother she sees this as a glorified position; "...it buoyed her up instead of burdening her-she rapidly recovered" (466). Editha wanted to be overly dramatic when she goes to see George's mother, "...if she had done what was expected of herself, would have gone down on her knees at the feet of the seated figure..." However, to her despair Mrs. Gearson was not pleased to see her, '" What did you come for?' Mrs. Gearson asked" (466). Mrs. Gearson sees Editha for the immature child that she is, "'You didn't expect that, (he would die) I suppose, when you sent him"' (466).

Howells, William Dean. "Editha" Anthology of American Literature: Realism to the Present. (Vol. II). Seventh Edition. George McMichael, editor. Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 2000. 458-467.

Howells realist approach lends itself throughout this story; which is most apparent when George does not enlist until he is cajoled by mob-mentality after a night of drinking. This is demonstrated when George says, "'It was all going one way, and I thought I would sprinkle a little cold water on them. But you can't do that with a crowd that adores you...I suggested volunteering then and there...how well the worse reason looks when you try to make it appear better...I believe I was the first convert to the war in that crowd to-night'" (462). The next day George scarcely represses his true feelings about what he has begun when he says, "'I'm in for the thing now, and we've got to face our future'" (464). He also admits to Editha that he only signed up because he was drunk, "'I consecrated myself to your god of battles last night by pouring too many libations to him down my own throat"' (463). Editha behaves outwardly as though she is not pushing George, "'I wish you to belie!

d States. Realism has been chiefly concerned with th

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Category: English