Humor And Satire In Washington Irving's Life

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Imagination may envelop the mind of Washington Irving’s readers with the satirical grace of every line’s aid. Traveling endlessly, Irving made use of the slightest details of everyday life and scenery throughout the beginning of the nineteenth century. His observances benefited his writing along with the troubles he faced as his life progressed. Born as the youngest of 11 children, in 1783 in New York City, Washington Irving was named for the commander of the Revolutionary War and first president of the new world. Following the lead of two of his older brothers, William and Peter, in literature, he was fond, but he turned towards law instead. The love for law soon dwindled; he still made a living off it for some time before going into business …show more content…
These included Johnathan Oldstyle (1802-03), Diedrich Knickerbocker (1807-09), and Geoffrey Crayon (1819-20). Though short-lived, had distinct characteristics which differentiated them from one another, similar to multiple personalities with the common characteristics of a satirical sense of humor. Each alias came with its own type of historical or realistic research and in-depth observations and imaginations (Hart 320). Washington Irving’s only desire was to make the people around him happy no matter how he felt (Johnston 167). He became these aliases to get people to take notice of him and their surroundings as a “wake-up …show more content…
Rip’s demeanor to please seems to result from Irving’s own personality. This fictional character escaped to the mountains from Dame Van Winkle’s wrath, but returned to a new world of foolishness after the Revolutionary War like his escape to Europe from the disappointment of his brother and the changes of the world. His humor always presented itself as Rip Van Winkle exclaimed, “God knows, I’m not myself- I’m somebody else- I was myself last night…, and I’m changed, and I can’t tell what’s my name or who I am” (Irving 43). “His necessary remove from the state of things, clothed in his antiquated Dutch fashions, grants him the detachment required to register these changes” (Wyman

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