The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon

Bowden, Mary Weatherspoon. Washington Irving. Boston: Twayne, 1981. Bowden underlines the integrity of The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., in which “Rip Van Winkle” first performed, and proposes that Irving’s most highest literary accomplishment was his style. Though the book was not known, it include two of the most famous American short stories, one being “Rip Van Winkle” Mary Bowden received her Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Texas in Austin, Texas. She taught in the English Department at University of Tennessee for sixteen years. She has written three books: On the Road with Washington Irving, Washington Irving and Phillip Freneau. Hedges, William L. Washington Irving: An American Study, 1802-1832. Baltimore:…

Phillis in, almost as her own child, and she and her two children started teaching Phillis how to read. This triggered an interest in Phillis. She soon became very involved with literacy. Phillis loved learning by reading. She learned a lot of history, more so in other countries, all by reading. She studied many subjects and became very intelligent. As she became older, she started writing more. At the age thirteen, she published her first poem into a local newspaper. Amazingly enough, she was…

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…

Considered the first professional, distinguished author in the United States, Washington Irving helped gain international respect for American literature through his short stories, biographies, and histories. During the 19th century, he undertook the persona of Geoffrey Crayon and published a collection of 34 pieces of writing titled The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon. One of the most popular short stories amongst this collection, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, is noted for its action, adventure,…

John Irving was born March 2, 1942, in Exeter, New Hampshire, he was raised by his biological mother, and stepfather. Many events from Irving’s personal life have inspired books that he has written, such as, parent separations, feminism, sexual abuse, and sexual fantasies. Not only have plots been inspired by Irving’s personal life, but also the characters; which often follow Irving’s past experiences. At the age of 15, John Irving’s life was greatly affected after reading, Great Expectations.…

Rip Van Winkle as a Romantic Hero Rip Van Winkle is a short story written by Washington Irving which follows a lazy farmer named Rip, who enjoys helping everyone besides himself and his wife. Rip wanders off into the mountains one day and falls asleep, only to awaken after twenty years have passed. The author endows Rip with various characteristics that portray him as a Romantic Hero. Some of these qualities include being child-like and innocent, disliking women, and going on a journey in…

The development of America is captured in both factual and fictional stories. The characters in the “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” are specifically shaped to represent well-thought attributes of America. The author of sleepy hollow uses characters to expound on the development of young America. Washington Irving is reflected as the father of American short story. His inscription depicts the invention of the American myths that deal with ancestors, heroes, and mystical beings that are an essential…

A few months ago, my cousin Mark invited me to help on his farm. I accepted his invitation, knowing he would pay me handsomely. However, when I set foot on the farm, one thought came to mind: what a dump! Mark 's farm was so pitiful one could mistake it for a junkyard. One thing that stuck out to me was his cattle. The poor creatures did not have anything to eat. All of Mark 's grass was dead, and I could count every cow 's ribs from a football field away. As I roamed around Mark 's farm, it…

ever wanted, he feels guilt for his decision that led to his wife’s demise and begs the Devil to take him to her. Tom boards a carriage with the Devil and is never seen again. It is Tom’s ironic guilt that led to his wife’s death since his visions of the Devil killing his wife became a reality when she offered her soul for the chest. It also symbolizes the idea that even the richest, who own all the money they own, cannot buy what they wish for the most, which in Tom’s case, was to once again…

Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle” exemplifies the theory of imagination using escapism. After sleeping for 20 years, readers are forced to distinguish between Rip’s fantasy and his past. In addition, Rip awakens in another time, therefore his imagination, and intelligence is more developed than the townspeople, or his wife ever thought. Rip’s imagination not only created a free nation, he also freed himself from a nightmarish marriage. Throughout the tale of “Rip Van Winkle,” Irving paints a clear…