In order to better interpret a piece of literature, you must first obtain the basic information. Through the biography and historical context, it helped me provide an in-depth analysis of the history I was researching. William Dean Howells is just one of the great practitioners of realism. When reading Howell's Reason for Realism, I discovered that Howell's belief in idealism was stupidity. With him saying "a false feeling and the complete opposite of common sense". He knew that realism is not only about “copying reality, but also about adopting an attitude towards reality.” That being said, it helps to better understand how the story turns out. Often, realists are known as "regionalist" writers because their work focuses on an exact part of the country. In this story "Editha" by William Dean Howells, he uses a bit of romantic style but overall it is classified as one of the realistic trends. He published the best of his work when he was at the height of his writing in Harpers Monthy. The issues published in April 1886, July 1888, December 1887, 1890, November 1889 and 1891 explain why he wanted to get involved in the “war of realism” and the “war of critics”. Phillip Barris wrote a book on "American Realism and had stated that "Howell's critical discussions of dialect in American literature illustrate the complexity of literary realism's role in these middle-class infighting over modes of style, of taste and aesthetic experience." Reading Howell's biography, I realized how expert he was in dialect. In this story "Editha", he uses dialect to set the tone of the story. J 've also learned how her use of dialect in her old magazine discussions was about stories in dialect... middle of paper ... what is the best way to name the title of a story about a girl who is she -even -centerd.Works CitedBarrish, Phillip. American Literary Realism, Critical Theory, and Intellectual Prestige, 1880-1995. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001. Electronic Book Collection (EBSCOhost). April 27, 2014. Brooks, Van Wyck. Howells: his life and his world. New York: EP Dutton & CO., INC, 1959. Print. April 27, 2014 Cady, Edwin Harrison. The realist at war; The Maturity Years, 1885-1920, by William Dean Howells. np: Syracuse University Press, 1958. Print. April 27, 2014. Carrington, George C. The Immense Complex Drama; The world and art of Howells' novel. np: Columbus, Ohio State University Press, 1966. Print. April 27, 2014. Wagenknecht, Edward. William Dean Howells; The Friendly Eye [By] Edward Wagenknecht. np: New York, Oxford University Press, 1969., 1969. Print. April 27. 2014.