Summary Of George Gearson's Editha

“Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war” (311) George Gearson said in William Howells story, Editha. In this story, George Gearson signs up to fight a war, which turns is a result of him turning his back on his anti-war values, did not stand by his principles, allowed Editha to influence his decisions. Despite what most readers think, George is more to blame for his death than Editha. George is the only person who can enlist himself into the army. Likewise, George tells Editha about the meeting at the town hall, “and everyone has volunteered” (311). He continues and says, “I suggested volunteering then and there, and I wrote my name first of all on the roster.” (311) Furthermore, George makes it very clear that he is not being coerced or
While at first George holds to his anti-war principle when he says, “it’s every war — so stupid; it makes me sick. Why shouldn’t this thing have been settled reasonability?” (309) But this principle is quickly abandoned. While at a meeting at the town hall, George gets carried away with the war fever and fails to stand for his beliefs. Following the meeting, George in his drunk state finds Editha and tells her the news, “Well, you must call me Captain, now; or cap, if you prefer… they selected me for captain, and I’m going to the war, the big war, the glorious war, the holy war, ordained by the pocket providence that blesses butchery.” (311) This complete one hundred and eighty-degree turn, causes him to fall into the romance of war. George quickly becomes consumed with the idea of going off to war. And even after sobering up, his resolve does not sway. Whether rooted in honor or whatever, George continues to keep his back turned to the principles he was raised into. George continues when he tells Mr. Balcom, “We all want to be in the van”. (314) Certainly, no man who stands by an anti-war principle would be eager to be the first to meet the Governor and then ship off to war. However, because of the romanticizing that George does towards war, leads him to turn his back on his
From the very start, George shows his lack of conviction when he says, “When I differ from you, I ought to doubt myself.” (309) However, Editha insists that George to stand true to his beliefs when she says “George, I wish you to believe whatever you think is true, at any and every cost. If I’ve tried to talk you into anything, I take it all back.” (309) Additionally, George goes on to say, “A man that hasn’t got his own respect intact wants the respect of all the other people he can corner.” (313) In this, George seems to admit that he does not have his own respect, and is giving up his principles to attempt to earn the respect of other people, especially Editha in this case. Editha does her best to reassure George, and attempts to motivate him to keep his commitment. When giving George her letter she says, “Read it if ever you doubt what you’ve done”. (312) Along with reassuring him, she asks him to “Read it after you’ve started.” (312); however, George fails to do so. After entering the train, George disregards Editha’s wish. As he waved his hand Editha could recognize George because “it held a letter which she knew was hers. Then he went inside the car to read it.” (314) His disregard for Editha’s wish that he waits to read her letter, I believe shows his lack of self-control. Because of George Gearson’s actions leading up to going to war, is the result of his premature death. First, it was George alone who put his name