American Literature
Washington Irving
MWenger
First international literary celebrity of America
I. Life
April 8, 1783, year of Revolutionary War
Last of 11 children
Born to successful and religious hardware importer
Small, sickly…bright child
Kept home with fragmentary education
Forced to study law
At 16, apprenticed at law office
At 19, worked for Judge Josiah Hoffman
Enjoyed literary societies
Emerging genius for creating comic fiction…characters
Pseudonym…Jonathan Oldstyle or Knickerbocker
Created caricatures of British traditionals who could not accept simple
Values of the new nation.
At 21, visited France, England, Italy, Holland (grand tour of cathedrals)
1807-1808: wrote Salmagundi: humor magazine which made fun of manners of the day
reconsidered occupation
Matilda (wife) died of TB.
1809: wrote many more satires…became foremost satirist in New York (use of irony,
sarcasm, and ridicule in exposing human folly)
Style is self mocking mixed with the inflation of preachers
Traveled to England to oversee family business
Dabbled in German romanticism (folklore, legends)
1817: The Sketch Book…which includes Rip Van Winkle and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow
uses a mixture of fable, tall take and allegory
Discussion Questions for Rip Van Winkle
1. Identify and describe the setting of this story.
2. Describe the relationship of Rip to his wife, be specific.
3. Identify and explain who Rip’s constant friend is. How may this be relevant to
Romanticism?
4. where does Rip go to escape the pressures of reality?
5. What happens to him there? Describe in detail.
6. What does Rip find beside him when he awakes?
7. Describe the village at length.
8. Identify romantic elements found within RipVanWinkle.
9. Locate and record examples of literary devices used within RipVan Winkle.