Question

Which two lines of text in this excerpt from William Dean Howells's "Editha" demonstrate the author’s opposition to conventional ideas of patriotism?

Answer 1

Answer:

The two lines that demonstrate the author’s opposition to conventional ideas of patriotism are:-

1. You just expected him to kill someone else, some of those foreigners, that weren't there because they had any say about it, but because they had to be there, poor wretches—conscripts, or whatever they call 'em".

2. I thank my God he didn't live to do it! I thank my God they killed him first, and that he ain't livin' with their blood on his hands!

Explanation:

'Editha' by 'William Dean Howells ' is a story based on war, media and patriotism. It is set during the Spanish - American war times and brings out different perspectives and opinions about the characters in the story.

Editha encouraged her fiance George Gearson to get himself enlisted in the Spanish-American War.

The two mentioned lines are a demonstration of author's strong opposition to the traditional ways of showing patriotism. One shows empathy towards the poor and towards the foreigners who were likely to be killed and they couldn't do anything about it.