ught 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 believe what ever you think is true…If I’ve tried to talk you into anything, I take it all back”’ (460). Editha dictates that he had not done it for her sake only and would not respect him if he had. In addition to this, in the letter she writes, she quotes Richard Lovelace, “‘I could not love thee, dear, so much, Loved I not honor more’” (461). Howells uses this self-centered mannerism to exhibit Editha’s immaturity and lack of consideration for others.In his comic writings, Howells criticized American morality and ethics but still managed to accurately portray life as it happened. He communicates American social morays by sharing the Balcoms’ position on war, presented when Mr. Balcom avows, “’I guess it will not be much of a war…I will not lose any sleep over it’” (463). Although, Mrs. Balcom had expressed her misgivings early on, before George had enlisted, the family’s tone seemed to change once he had. This common attitude about the war soon proves inane when George talks with pride about how he and his friend...
