Decency or Indecency: The question behind war.
             This quite interesting story lets us know that although war has had positive effects in human beings throughout history, it has terrible consequences if one is to analyzes specific cases of families which members participate in one. Patriotism, which is a symbol of loyalty and heroism, quickly becomes a cruel reality in which we must accept the loss of human life as a consequence of freedom and nationalism. The destruction of this vision of war is the purpose of "Editha," a short story written by William Dean Howells.
             It hides a deep message against war inside a simple story, making use of its main characters, selfish Editha Balcom, and her sincere fiancé, George Gearson. Editha's poisonous influence over George would eventually lead to his death. Even following this apparently traumatic event, Editha's heartless character remains intact. At the end she still lives by ideas which lead to peoples suffering and death.
             As George walked calmly down the street to bring Editha news of the coming war, she grew irritated and called out to him, causing him to increase his pace. As George approached her house, Editha was anxious to hear if there would be a war. She is thrilled when George confirms it. The contrary views of the impending war of these two main characters are revealed early in the story; Editha's posture is established in nationalism while George's position is rooted in the sobering realism of war with a preference for peace. Editha is quite aware of George's opposition to the war. She has little patience and no understanding for this perspective. She sees this stand as weakness. She is both willing and anxious to end the relationship if he decides not to sign up for the war. She is not, however, motivated by patriotism, but rather by a long-imagined fantasy of how a man would succeed in winning her love. She has a deep desire for George to earn her affection ...