Washington Irving Research Paper

Washington Irving and James Fenimore Cooper attained international recognition in the 1820s, as the nation’s first writers of importance to use American scenes and themes.

"Success isn't measured by money or power or social rank. Success is measured by your discipline and inner peace" (Alder). Washington Irving was a very successful American author who wrote countless stories. He was and still is a great role model for many authors. Washington Irving is firmly planted into the tapestry of American literature because of his use of mood, symbolism, and imagery in “The Devil and Tom Walker.”

Irving used satire in his stories to send the readers a message. He used humor to describe his wife and their relationship. When Rip awakened from his deep sleep he found that his wife had passed and the revolution war was over. Irving compared the two events, the Americans were free from the King’s rule and Rip was free from his nagging wife. He used satire to better tell his stories and to connect the two incidents.

He traveled frequently, and earned many awards in his time. His most famous works are still being reproduced today and even used in schools. Irving was an amazing writer and an interesting one too. Even still today many children and adults continue to discover his works for the first time, and most of them fall entranced into his work. As the very 1st American writer to actually make a living as a writer, he knew that literature was not all good, he once said “ the land of literature is a fairyland to those who view it at a distance, but, like all other landscapes, the charm fades on nearer approach, and the thorns and briars become visible.”. He is one of the first authors to finally say this, and tell others that writing and literature also has its flaws, and is not as good as many other authors portray it to

Washington Irving was a writer of many fiction and nonfiction books. Irving “wrote numerous short stories, biographies, histories, and stories of his travels.” (Irving,Washington) Irving was known as "the Father of American Literature." (Gallagher, Edward J.) Washington had over 15 writing's he had produced. Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of a Sleepy Hollow are his most well known novels. Washington “best known as the first American to make a living solely from writing.” (“United States ) He was one of the best writers for 76 years, he made stories for people to enjoy. In his 18 century novel the Rip Van Winkle Washington Irving explores the theme freedom from tyranny by using symbolism and imagery.

Washington Irving uses symbolism in his short story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” The Legend of Sleepy Hollow takes place in a town called “Sleepy Hollow” which is near Tarrytown, New York. The two main characters Ichabod Crane and Brom Bones have a dispute over a women named Katrina. The story may or may not have come from the German tales of the headless horseman that have influenced the Dutch tales. Brom Bones is one of the main characters who symbolizes country versus rural and hero vs villain.

Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is a magnificent short story, with action, superstition, and a little humor all rolled into one. The story of the headless horseman has scared little children of Sleepy Hollow for many years. Then along came Hollywood and decided that Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” needed something more. Hollywood needed a more exciting main character in Ichabod Crane and story line to appeal to the twentieth century. Washington Irving had to write in a way that the reader could visualize Ichabod Crane and how utterly terrified he was of everything, whereas, Hollywood could use its own Jonny Depp to deliver a wonderful performance. Hollywood’s image for Sleepy Hollow needed more action,

On October 12th, 2017, the Averitt Center produced “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” at the Black Box Theatre in Statesboro, GA. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is based on the story by Washington Irving and was dramatized by Kathryn Schultz Miller. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” was directed by Bathany DeZelle. Main actors were Zac Davis, Edward Preble, Grace Jarrell, John Parcels, Edy Kaleta, Aubrey Roberts, Sofia Costantini, Kenzie Cannady, Kian DeVine, and Ernesto Moina. Other actors included were Xavier Deckard, Aidan Sowell, Jack Blackmon, Alex Shroyer, Mackenzie McGrath, Cecilia Marsh, and John Marsh. The basic theme of the story was not to be so superstitious and to watch what people say to you. The main character was a superstitious

The ways in which Irving and Burton code the city and the country in their respective productions is similarly impacted by the periods in which each man was working. Irving’s “Sleepy Hollow” emphasizes local culture and the power of myth making within these cultures. In Irving’s town of Sleepy Hollow, the tale of the headless horseman reigns, but does not extend outside of the local realm, and does not necessarily physically manifest: when Ichabod leaves for the city at the end of the narrative, the horseman does not follow him. However, in Burton’s adaption, the tale of the headless horseman is not merely local folklore, but becomes elevated to the level of metropolitan ‘news’ through the literal act of murder instead of the mere legend of murder. Crime, then, elevates the cultural status of the horseman from local legend to state-wide murder suspect. Irving’s story, noted by scholars such as Daniel Hoffmann for its powerful interpretation of local myth and mythic tropes, is transported into the realm of the metropolitan through the re-characterization of New York as

For my paper, I will re-read his famous work, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and his other famous work, Rip Van Winkle. As I read the two, I need to jot down notes about what Irving writes most into the stories dealing with humor and irony

The conflict and stories force Ichabod to feel like a complete outsider to Tarry Town, and these feelings lead to more criticism. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is known as one of the greatest ghost stories of all time. However, many scholars have their own questions and opinions on Washington Irving’s work.

The year Washington Irving was born, 1783, “was of some note in the history of the new republic” (Neider xi) because it that same year that the American Revolutionary war ended. Although Irving “distinguished himself in a variety of genres” (“Irving, Washington." 519) including “essay, sketch, history, travel, humor, and short stories” (519), during the later years of his life his writings concentrated on travel and history. (519) His first book included “Rip van Winkle”; loosely based on Germany's legends. (“Washington Irving” 142) Irving “published The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent in 1819” (“Irving, Washington." 520). The book was published “under the pseudonym Geoffrey Crayon” (“Washington Irving” 142) and included approximately

Washington Irving is one of the incomparable of the Romantics, composed work various unquestionably comprehended stories that we all know and warmth started from this man. Irving drove a charming presence with various refinements and titles, from all around all through the world. He did various distinctive things other than create, though making is the thing that injury up giving him his name.

Washington Irving was born on April 3, 1783 in New York City, New York. He died on November 28, 1859 in Sunnyside, Tarrytown, New York. He is best commemorated for his two pieces of literature- “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. Irving’s parents, William and Sarah Irving had 11 children, 2 of which died in infancy. Washington Irving was the eleventh child. When their family settled in Manhattan, New York, they became acquainted with the merchant class when Washington Irving was born. He acquired an interest in literature at 14 years old and would regularly sneak out of class to attend theater. Sadly his family sent him away to avoid the outbreak of yellow fever and was sent to Tarrytown, New York with his friend James Kirk Paulding. This is where he became accustomed with the town “Sleepy Hollow” that would be the

For every similarity that they have, they also have as many differences. The two authors being from different writing eras is a main reason for many of their differences. Writing styles changed throughout time, and by comparing and contrasting these two authors proved that to be true. Washington Irving and William Faulkner were both successful writers of their time, many of their works are still used in books today. They both earned their reputation and they both will always be remembered as two of the greatest writers of all time. Giving them this