Editha: William Dean Howells’s examples of realism using Henry James’s “The Art of Fiction” helps define realism in the ordinary motives and actions of people.
Through the characters of Editha and George, William Dean Howells defines realism using their life examples and conflicts in a small town setting. Realism is not exaggerated or made up for added enjoyment. Realism, in literature, is based on the character’s strength to carry along the story and not the plot. The characters represent middle class people that are familiar to the audience because they feel like they already know them. Realism is based on ordinary characters faced with realistic problems. Henry James states, “What is incident but the illustration of character” (555)? Characters react to the problems …show more content…
Realism, in literature, explains ordinary individuals that deal with moral decisions one makes when faced with specific problems. James’s “The Art of Fiction” and Howells’s “Editha” illustrate realism as a representation of reality of the times. The middle-class characters, setting, and moral dilemma all represent the depiction of realism in “Editha.”
In “Editha” George is a middle-class character. He is a typical example of what embodies realism. George is a minister recently changed to be a lawyer. He is a man that is not privileged in that he needs to make a career. Falling in love with Editha has changed his career path to something that can make him money and respect. “He is not excited about the oncoming war and has not been serious about the thought. “He seemed to despise it even more than he abhorred” (308). Editha is also a middle class character. She lives at home with her parents. She
Through the characters of Editha and George, William Dean Howells defines realism using their life examples and conflicts in a small town setting. Realism is not exaggerated or made up for added enjoyment. Realism, in literature, is based on the character’s strength to carry along the story and not the plot. The characters represent middle class people that are familiar to the audience because they feel like they already know them. Realism is based on ordinary characters faced with realistic problems. Henry James states, “What is incident but the illustration of character” (555)? Characters react to the problems …show more content…
Realism, in literature, explains ordinary individuals that deal with moral decisions one makes when faced with specific problems. James’s “The Art of Fiction” and Howells’s “Editha” illustrate realism as a representation of reality of the times. The middle-class characters, setting, and moral dilemma all represent the depiction of realism in “Editha.”
In “Editha” George is a middle-class character. He is a typical example of what embodies realism. George is a minister recently changed to be a lawyer. He is a man that is not privileged in that he needs to make a career. Falling in love with Editha has changed his career path to something that can make him money and respect. “He is not excited about the oncoming war and has not been serious about the thought. “He seemed to despise it even more than he abhorred” (308). Editha is also a middle class character. She lives at home with her parents. She