Journal 15

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

To follow your own path and not be influenced by others when you know better

"Yes, that letter of yours, that came back with his

other things, left him free."

"It was not to be read before--unless--until-- I told

him so,"

“I don't believe he was glad to die. He was

always a timid boy, that way; he was afraid of a good

many things; but if he was afraid he did what he h

made up his mind to. I suppose he made up his mind

to go, but I knew what it cost him by what it cost me 8

when I heard of it. I had been through one war before.

When you sent him you didn't expect he would get

killed."

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

She references all the great things people have done when they go to war and how they are remembered as great, but the most effective way she convinces him to go to war is because she gives him an ultimatum. She says she will only marry him if he goes and fights in the war. He loves Editha so he chooses to go to still keep her love after she manipulated him.

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

Editha never truly understands the gravity of what she has done. She feels no remorse for what she has done and feels as if she has been wronged. This epiphany occurs at the end when she is talking to another woman and she feels innocent.