Journal 15: Fight For Freedom

1.  Write a sentence that summarizes the story’s overall message, and provide  three direct quotes from the story that best illustrate this message.

The overall message in “Editha” written by Howell is that it is unwise to glorify war.  War is the meaning of life or death because the soldiers are fighting for freedom.  In the beginning of the novel, Editha pressures George to go into war by threating that she would not marry him.  George asked for Editha’s love and she gave it to him, and now that war had begun she wanted him to fight for her.  “If he could do something worthy to have won her--be a hero, her hero--it would be even better than if he had done it before asking her; it would be grander.”  She is using war as a way to show how much George really loves her.  Later in story, Editha rewards George with smiles and kisses by announcing, “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.”    Finally, the truth prevails when Editha’s has to meet George’s mom to tell her that George had died for his country.   Mrs. Gearson comments back to Editha by saying, “No, girls don’t; women don’t, when they give their men up for their country. They think they’ll come marching back somehow, just as gay as they went”. In the end, Editha realizes that war is not glorious because it took the life of the one she loved.  The author is warning others that glorious war is idealistic because in reality, people can die as a possible outcome.

2.  What tactics does Editha use to make George believe as she does about the war?

Editha used several tactics to make George believe the same way she does about the war. First, she plays with George’s feelings and emotions.  By threating their marriage, she is able to let George understand how important fighting for their country is to her.  She was trying to convince him that becoming a solider would not only make him look like a better person, but he would look a hero; and that’s what she wanted as a husband, a hero.  She then uses literature, such as current war propaganda to show how necessary and glorious war is.  These news reports supported her opinion for the need of war and gave her a reason to pressure him into leaving. Finally, she manipulates him by saying that she understands if he does not want to go and that he should follow his beliefs.  This is going to push George into following his wife’s orders because he truly loves her. 
     

3.   Is there ever a time in which Editha truly understands what she has done?  Does she ever experience an epiphany?

There was a moment when Editha understands what she had done.  After forcing her husband to go into war, she realizes that she had lost her pride and joy.  The love of her life was now fighting for justice and freedom rather than being at home with her.  She was proud of him, but she was also nervous that she had lost him.  However, at this time she still believed that what she had done was right, and he should be a captain in the war.  It was not until she heard a message stating that her husband died when she truly recognized the mistake she made.  Editha never believed that George was going to be killed; she just thought he was going to be a hero.  When Editha visits Mrs. Gearson, Mrs. Gearson began to yell at her for pressuring her son into going to war and letting him die.  George’s mother explained that women romanticize the idea of war when in reality it is a place of death. Editha starts to cry for the first time since George’s death, feeling truly sorry for what she had done.  However, by the end of the story, she was back to her idealistic ways and believed that war was glorious again.

Journal 14: Ideal or Real?

Realism – The theory or practice in art and literature of fidelity to nature or to real life and to accurate representation without idealization of the most typical views, details, and surroundings of the subject.

Read the following poems and write a detailed description for each of the title characters and explain how each is an example of the “real” instead of the “ideal.”  

“Richard Cory“(497)

The entire poem is about how Richard Cory seems to be absolutely perfect and how others want to be just like him.  Little did the townspeople know that Richard Cory was not living the perfect life because he kills himself in the end.  The writer never told why Richard would commit suicide, but it was ironic that he would be the one to die when his life appeared to be perfect.  This poem is an example that you cannot judge a person by their appearance.  Even though Richard Cory appeared to be a very wealthy gentleman and so perfect that others aspired to be like him, does not mean that his life was filled with happiness.  It also means that the people who surround you do not always know what is going on in your life.  What others see and how you feel are two completely different aspects in reality.  It is the conflict and irony of everyday situations that make this poem an example of actuality.  It was ideal that Richard Cory was a perfect character; when in reality, he had issues like everyone else.  Besides, the name Richard Cory foreshadows the idea that he is rich and had a core that is not filled with strength. 

“Miniver Cheevy” (497)

Miniver wishes he was born during the medieval times because he wants to become a knight in shining armor.  He truly believes that he was created in the wrong century because all his hopes and dreams are about a castle and fighting for his one true love. Therefore, in order to escape the boring present, he decides to drink to see his fantasy.  Miniver Cheevy is trying to live in his ideal life when in reality; he was born in a different time period. He doesn’t believe he has a great life so he wastes what he is given, which so many of us do.  Many people do not take the time to recognize and appreciate what has been placed right in front of their nose.  Instead, they get carried away in wanting something new and different.  They want an ideal life where they can have anything, when in reality that is not possible.  Miniver is so wrapped up in Greek mythology stories about dragons that he is missing reality and what is in front of him.  He spends most of his time fantasizing; therefore, his life is empty. The meaning of Miniver Cheevy foreshadows a life full of depression.  Even his first name Miniver sounds like minimal achiever.  He should live life to the fullest and stop trying to change what time period he was born in.   

“Mr. Flood’s Party” (498)

Mr. Flood is an alcoholic that likes to have a party for one, himself. He talks and sings as if someone is always with him, but he is all alone.  It is an ironic dramatic monologue narrative.  It is ironic because Mr. Flood’s Party sounds like he is having a party.  Poor Mr. Flood was left alone because the townspeople did not want to live with him.  He is old, and all of his friends are either dead or left him because of his drinking problem.  Mr. Flood is drinking to fill emptiness in his heart.  By drinking he is trying to live his ideal happy life, but in reality he has no friends and nothing to live for. When he is drunk, he is living in his own past that was filled with laughter and fun times.  He is living in his past, instead of looking towards the future.  Just like Mr. Flood’s Party, people tend to dwell on their past lives instead of moving on.  Mr. Flood was unable to adapt to change, so he decided to live his present as a drunk.  If he stopped drinking, it is possible that his future would look much brighter rather than the idea of him dying alone. 

Journal 13: Edgar Lee Masters Epitaphs

Read “George Gray” and “Lucinda Matlock” and answer the following questions.

1. What object symbolizes George Gray’s life? How is this object representative of him?

George Gray lived his whole life in fear; therefore, the object that symbolizes his life was a boat located on his grave.  George was afraid to live his life to the fullest and consequently, missed out on various opportunities.  His life was compared to a boat that was anchored and unable to float on top of the waves of the sea.  George was given numerous chances to take a risk and make the most of what he was given, but he decided to hide from love, sorrow, and ambition.  He did not want to live his life in dread or depression, so he turned away from possible moments that could make his existence interesting.  If he would have lifted his sail in hope to find his destiny, maybe he would have been like a furled ship.  However, he left his anchor in the sand and was too afraid to reach out for a life worth living.    

2. How was Lucinda Matlock’s life different than George Gray’s? How do you interpret the last line of the poem?

Lucinda Matlock’s life is completely different than George Gray’s.  Unlike George, she lived in happiness to fulfill her destiny on earth.  Her life wasn’t perfect, but she was determined to look past the negative aspects and celebrate what God had given her.  She took a risk by falling in love, marrying her husband, and creating a family to live an even happier life.  The last line of her epitaph was a piece of advice to those like George Gray, who were afraid to take a chance.  She said that you must be full of spirit and energy to experience the best moments in life.  Yes, there will be times that are devastating, but it is up to you to find a reason to live and love the life that you are given. 

3. How are “George Gray” and “Lucinda Matlock” examples of realism?

George Gray and Lucinda Matlock are examples of realism because they are both written about ordinary lives of middle class people. Despite the idea that each epitaph is completely different, they both give examples of the hardships of life.  Both George and Lucinda tell the audiences that life was meant to take risks and that the best times come from bending the rules. George’s message was to make every moment worth living because you can never get it back. The epitaphs were used to show the drama and scope of average and ordinary people’s lives.