There have been many influential and brilliant authors over the years, but one might consider the work of Washington Irving’s to be more prominent than the rest. “Irving’s tale. Often called our nation’s first great story…” (Wyman 219) is only one way to describe Washington Irving’s marvelous stories. Irving shaped, influenced, and brought along many amazing ideas for many amazing authors. One may be able to recognize how Washington Irving’s writings were influenced by his hometown, English essayists such as Addison and Steele, and most importantly art.
Washington Irving was born April third, 1783 in New York, New York. His parents named him after the first president of the United States, George Washington. Therefore lived there for thirty-two
…show more content…
years and became a very prominent, and well know American author of this time (“Washington Irving.”). Irving was not educated in school, but was rather interested in art and theatre throughout all of his life (Irving, Washington. The Legend 25). He moved to and back from England for many years of his life, but nothing could compare to the fame he had in his hometown (“Washington Irving Biography.”). Living in Europe brought along many ideas in which he used in many of his future works (“Washington Irving.”). Irving had many influences in Europe and New York which brought him to be the author he is today (Bowden 12). “New York was his inspiration, his material, education, and home for thirty-two years” (Bowden 13.). Irving’s hometown, being one of the main influences that shaped him to the author he became. Therefore his career started in New York and became a very popular and one of the first major figures in America (Irving, Washington. The Legend 14). Irving started his career in New York by writing his first pamphlets with his brother, which were called Salmagundi and Whim-Whams and Opinions of Launcelot Langstaff (Irving, Washington. The Works 343). Washington Irving was under the pen name of Diedrich Knickerbocker when writing his first pamphlets. These pamphlets illustrated how Washington Irving was an artistic, humorous, and mysterious based author (“Washington Irving Biography”). Irving’s influence is very prominent within his pamphlets and refers to his hometown, New York, to Gotham. “The renowned and ancient city of Gotham” (Irving, Washington. The Works 344). His pamphlet Salmagundi is very descriptive about the disputes in New York, the United States as a whole, and England. Therefore his hometown was one of his many influences within his writings and shaped him to be such an amazing American author within his time. English essayists such as Joseph Addison and Richard Steele brought along many English writing styles and dramatically influenced Irving’s writing style.
The writing style of English essayists included humor and more broadly, English romanticism. Many of the well known English authors used humor in their work, in which Washington Irving used a lot of the same types of writing styles in many of his most prominent short stories such as, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle (Anderson, John D.). Along with Irving using the humor of many English authors, he brought along much of English romanticism within his works English romanticism was a movement of literature in England in the late 1700’s to early 1800’s which was a new and more outspoken way of writing. Irving was one of the first American authors to use English Romanticism and learned these ideas when he moved to England to further his career in arts. When he returned to America, the type of writing styles of England came with Irving (Anderson, John D.). His use of humor and English romanticism was enjoyed a lot by people that lived in the United States, which really spread the amazing works he made. The work in which he really illustrates the use of English romanticism is in the Letters of Jonathan Oldstyle, Gent., in which he states “England has been constrained to acknowledge that his productions are among the most elegant specimens of English composition” (Irving, Washington, and Sketch 2). That book is all about Irving staying in England and the type of writing styles which is shown within this book. Without Washington Irving’s use of humor and English romanticism in his work, he would not be the well known and amazing author he is
today. Irving’s work has been very influential for many other authors in todays society, but without him being influenced by art, he would not be the author he is today. “He was encouraged in art by a sister’s suitor: his fascination with art is evident in his works…” (Bowden 13). When Washington Irving moved to England, he first moved there not to be an author, but to excel in art (“Irving’s ‘Legend’: The Story Behind the Story.”). Therefore he realized that art was not his most well known attribute, he transitioned back to being an author which is when he incorporated art within his writing (Bowden 14). Irving became very descriptive and could paint an image in the reader’s mind. Many scholars would say “The characters, setting and events come alive through Irving’s descriptions…” (“Irving’s ‘Legend’: The Story Behind the Story.”). The use of much description in his works brought along much popularity in his life. An amazing example of how Irving uses much description in his work would be in his book Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. in which it states “There is in every true woman’s heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up, and beams, and blazes in the dark hour of adversity” (Irving, Washington, and Sketch 13). In other words, he describes the lack of acknowledgment that women at this time would receive, and for the lack of equality and capability of being independent during these times. Without art being a major influenced within Irving’s life he would not have gotten to be much of the amazing and influential author he had to become. While many scholars see Irving’s work as superb, critics see the flaws, and differences in his works. The story Rip Van Winkle is often viewed differently by critics within the storyline. Some critics may say that Washington Irving’s story is about a predigest and refuting man, though some may conclude that this story is about a binge drinker of the time, while alcohol consumption is at the high of all time. Many critics including this one see this storyline as this prodigious man, which during this time many women were viewed as of being weaker, and of a lower class than men. Though some don't consider that during this time drinking was of large popularity and many are heavy binge drinkers, including the main character, which cause his bad manner towards others. Irving’s critics may have different views on his work, but they have not taken into consideration all of the certain circumstances that the main characters in the stories have gone through (Wyman, Sarah). The whole storyline can be changed just because of one not fully comprehending the situations and background information behind everything that goes on. Washington Irving is a brilliant writer and influenced many other American authors such as Edgar Allen Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorn. He is one of the earliest American authors and brought along many ideas from England, also many of his own, which shaped many other famous authors. Irving was influenced by his hometown, English essayists such as Joseph Addison and Richard Steele, and most importantly art, which many can conclude that these influences shaped who he was and brought along many of his greatest works. Washington Irving, the keystone in American Literature, who influenced many famous authors and brought along many renown ideas within literature, which are still used in today’s society. Would American writing be the same without such a prominent author such as Washington Irving?
Washington Irving displays a sense of humor throughout “The Devil and Tom Walker” about greed, marriage and religion to help the reader, become a better person. Tom Walker makes a Faustian Bargain, also known as a deal with the devil. Tom has a lot of problems with his abusive wife, his desire for riches and getting into the afterlife. Washington Irving tells us the story of Tom Walker in a humorous way. Irving does this to display a message to his readers.
During the American Renaissance, writers were put into one of two categories. The categories were the Dark Romantics and the Transcendentalists. Some Dark Romantics include Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Washington Irving. The Dark Romantics stories included creepy symbols, horrific themes, and psychological effects of guilt and sin. The Devil and Tom Walker by Washington Irving gives a few examples as to why life is meaningless to some people.Humans are not all good, there are some cruel people in this world. The Pit and the Pendulum tells you exactly why.
Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most influential writers to date. His thrill filled tales of darkness and death helped people see a different side of romantic literature. Many believe that his isolated life and drinking problem helped influence his works. Poe showed his most prominent life accomplishment and disappointments through his life in his stories. He defined a lot of his life’s parallels through his works.
In his stories the women were not portrayed as nice. Women were usually nagging and would fight with their husbands. Some critics felt that Irving took an anti-feminism approach to his writing. However some critic feel that The Legend of Sleepy Hollow shows importance of marriage. Some critics also argue the quality of his work. Some pieces of his work are considered remarkable. While other pieces of his work are considered not to be that good.
Writers throughout history have always influenced or have been influenced by the era that which they live in. Many famous authors arose during The Age of Discovery and The Romantic Period all of whom had very distinctive writing styles that held true to their era. To find the differences between the two eras, it is important to understand the era at which time the literature was wrote, the writing style, and the subject matter.
Washington Irving and Edgar Allan Poe were both writers who exemplified the writing style of the Romantic era. Both writers used their great talents to take the reader into the story. For example, Irving, in “Rip Van Winkle”, starts the story by saying, “Whoever has made a courage up the Hudson must remember the Kaatskill Mountains.” He also involves the reader in the story by taking us into the everyday lives of the Van Winkles and goes into some detail describing Rip’s “business”. Poe also demonstrates his ability to pull the reader into the story. In “The Fall of the House Usher” he uses extensive descriptions of the settings to give the reader the feeling of being there while the story is developing around them. The writers are also similar in the use of tone in their works. Irving’s use of tone in his stories is typically lighthearted, yet dramatic. This is demonstrated in “Rip Van Winkle” when Rip comes back from the “Kaatskills” and is talking to all the people in the town. There, he finds his son and daughter and asks, “Where’s your mother?” By asking this question, Irving implies both curiosity and even fear if Dame Van Winkle is still around. This humorous approach to the subject of Rip’s wife, makes light of ...
They are the ones that with their unique styles managed to impress people from their society, and more importantly, continued to influence writers many years later. Although some of their works are considered a little out of tone with their time, perhaps controversial, one cannot deny that they are outstanding pieces of work because of their topic and theme. From satire to fiction, Washington Irving created a reputation for being the first American to transcend in America and England. Hawthorne used the events in his life as a source of inspiration, and better yet, his perspective of society and mankind, helped him write great novels Finally Edgard Allan Poe, a man with a troubled soul, managed to write entrancing works full of mystery, crime, and gothic themes. All three men were successful writers and no doubt their works will keep being an inspiration for many more
A lot of people want to know about the writing of Mark Twain. Mark Twain’s writings are widely known around the world. ” English teachers are always saying that Mark Twain is the greatest author in American literature.” Stated Dr. Engel in his lecture called “The Genius of Mark Twain.” Mark Twain has been criticized a lot by people about his writings. Especially his novel called The Adventures of huckleberry Finn. The only reason he received as much criticism as he did for that novel was because one specific word. That word is powerful too. This word can be used by one person in the wrong way and shut down a community, a family, and maybe even a life. That word is the word “nigger.” We are not even going to get into that subject right now because that is not what we are here to talk about. People always
Although at times it is easy to get carried away with the adventure of a story, noticing the elements a writer has put into his work is very important. In reading “Young Goodman Brown” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” you can see both similarities as well as differences of how both Nathaniel Hawthorne and Washington Irving chose to illuminate their romantic writing styles. The writers both use a mystical woodsy setting with supernatural twists to draw in readers. Underlying you will find the differing romantic themes each writer used, as well as how each writer chose to end their work.
The impact that these two individuals have had on our society has shaped our world to be a better and more fascinating place. They presented to us new concepts of writing along with, intricate ways to communicate their ideas with their audience. Edgar Allan Poe’s Gothic style of writing established a whole new view of how literature was viewed and received the attention from readers across the world. Mark Twain had a very light-hearted approach when he wrote his humoristic masterpieces. These authors left an enormous impression in the literary world that is still prevalent in literature today.
Washington Irving was born in New York City in 1783, he always had an appreciation of the land and people from there. Irving was quite opposed to the fact that New York was becoming and would become one of the biggest and most prominent cities in the entire world. Irving seemed to be fonder of the lush foliage and the rolling hills of the city, rather than a crowded city and huge port. Irving conveys his beliefs through Knickerbocker in "A History of New York," in the essay Irving says "Happy would it have been for New Amsterdam could it always have existed in this state of blissful ignorance and lowly simplicity, but alas! the days of childhood are too sweet to last! Cities, like men, grow out of them in time, and are doomed alike to grow into the bustle, the cares, and miseries of the world." (Irving 570). Irving believed that his New York would not be the same if it was given all of the exporting and importing power in the east, which it was and is not the way he wished it was.
Washington Irving was a very ingenious writer; he did not express his stories with Romanticism but with something more creative and dark. Washington Irving has a big role for mood; his stories are creepy, mysterious, and evil. Irving’s stories reflect on the mood, a lot of his work had deep and evil thoughts. “T...
In Washington Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle,” an allegorical reading can be seen. The genius of Irving shines through, in not only his representation in the story, but also in his ability to represent both sides of the hot political issues of the day. Because it was written during the revolutionary times, Irving had to cater to a mixed audience of Colonists and Tories. The reader’s political interest, whether British or Colonial, is mutually represented allegorically in “Rip Van Winkle,” depending on who is reading it. Irving uses Rip, Dame, and his setting to relate these allegorical images on both sides. Irving would achieve success in both England and America, in large part because his political satires had individual allegorical meanings.
As this semester comes to a quick close I have learned about the lives of many authors, the works of many authors and the variety of impact that they had on the nation. American Literature has had many different impacts on America. The literature has shaped the lives of the American people from generation to generation. The literature has shared the lives of those long before and created traditions to be passed on from family to family. From learning of a woman who changed the idea of women in literature to reading about the life of a man who shaped the nation as president, American Literature has increased my knowledge of the nation that I call home. There were authors I had no knowledge of such as Walt Whitman, authors that widely influenced
Between the establishments of the first colonies to the Declaration of Independence, American literature evolved and flourished. A large, diverse pool of writers in the population supported its vast variety of genres including political pamphlets, epics, etc.