The story was first published in Harper's Monthly 110 (Jan. 1905).

Why did Howells write Editha?

Howells wrote “Editha” in an effort to explode the sentimentalism that led to an interest in the historical romance. Editha blindly and ignorantly believes in the heroic romanticism of war and is totally oblivious to the real consequences of battle.

What is the theme of Editha?

The themes of "Editha" include war, media, and patriotism. War is a major theme in the story and the impetus of the events that take place. The story is set during the Spanish–American War, and the characters all have different perspectives and opinions on it.