Washington Irving Research Paper

Karson Mingo
Mrs. Coggins
English 3 Period 4
27 April 2017
The Legend of Washington Irving
Known today as the first American writer, Washington Irving set the standard for writers to come. Born April 3, 1783 in New York City, he was the youngest of eleven. He was strongly influenced by the Dutch culture of New York. He gained an international reputation as one of the most influential writers of his time an today as well. Even though most of his stories are post Revolutionary War, his character draw many English and Dutch qualities. His father being a military man demanded a lot of Washington and let it be known when he named him after our nations first great leader. Irving was never much of a student but not surprisingly was fond of English
In fact, he was much more enjoyed to write histories than all other styles"(Dillon). Although he wrote in many different ways (Western American settings, histories, biographies, satires) the common theme of this writings revolved around New York Dutch folk.
Classic examples of a stereotypical Irving writing include “Rip Van Winkle”, “The Legend of Sleepy Hallow”, and “The Sketch Book”. Upon returning back to the states Irving found himself in need of a place to sleep for a night while his new house was being finished. He spent that night at his sister’s house and was unable to sleep. Instead of going to bed he sat down and penned one of the most iconic American short stories to date. This story has had movie, book, and Television renditions and still sells in mass numbers.
"The Legend of Sleepy Hallow" is a classic example of Irving using European aspects of culture in an American literature. Said of Irving "He was a prolific writer who took great delight in describing whatever interested his curious intellect"(Kellman 1). This quote showed he was not only prolific but also effective. The story follows Ichabod Cranes attempt to fall in love with Katrina van Tassel. Crane is returning home to Connecticut to be a school teacher. Crane, greedy and ambitious, is accosted by the infamous headless horseman. Set in a satirical kind of way, Crane was
"Rip van Winkle" is a story about a henpecked villager wandering into the mountains, sleeping for twenty years, and returning to find a different world. Called a masterpiece by many, the story, like many of Irving's, is based off of European myth and folklore. Like "The Legend of Sleepy Hallow", Irving penned the story in a one night span. A major point to the story is the change that will occur over twenty years. The small village represented by peace and wealth is turned into a place with big new homes and 'Yankee' occupants. It was in this story that Washington let it be known how he felt strongly against the common New Englander. Another theme that comes up in the story is financial failure.
"The Sketch Book" is a jumble of short pieces that reflect an authors religious preferences in American Literature. Published in 1819, it was an instant best seller. Known for his fantastic use of characters it was said "Irving's use of the character 'Geoffery Crayon' was a masterstroke"(Moss). The book sold mass copies in both America and in Europe, where he had lived