Why doesn’t Howells name the Spanish-American War specifically? What does the namelessness of the war suggest about war in general?

Why does George enlist in the war? Where do we see that he, like Editha, believes his masculinity is dependent on his enlisting? What does his enlisting after being swept away by enthusiasm at a town meeting suggest about the glorified picture of war painted in the newspapers and about those who enlist?

Discuss the contrast between Mr. and Mrs. Balcom’s reactions upon learning George has enlisted. What do Mrs. Balcom’s concern and Mr. Balcom’s amusement suggest about gender roles?