...American Romanticism * Early Romanticism * Washington Irving * James Cooper * Transcendentalism * Ralph Emerson * Henry Thoreau * Others: eg. Edgar Allen Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne… * Romanticism---a retrospect * Background of Romanticism in Europe? * The Industrial Revolution * The French Revolution * Ideological change * Definition & Features of Romanticism? * Romanticism(The Romantic Movement) * 5 key features * Romanticism was an artistic, literary, and intellectual movement that originated in Europe toward the end of the 18th century, recognized for expressions of exoticism, individualism, emotionalism, and the beauty of nature, rejecting the ordered rationality of the Enlightenment as mechanical, impersonal, and artificial. * Imagination; * Nature; * Individualism; * Glorification of the Commonplace; * The Lure of the Exotic * American Romanticism * Time: Romantic period---early 19th century to the outbreak of the Civil War * Forms: novels, short stories, and poems replaced sermons and manifestos as America’s principal literary forms * Background: * exterior: Romantic movement in Europe (inheritance) * interior: Westward movement and economic boom; * Literary themes: * Highly imaginative and subjective * Emotional intensity * Escapism * Common man as hero ...
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...In Washington Irving's short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" he has two main characters, Ichabod Crane and Bram Bones. These two heroic characters both desire the same woman, Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter of a substantial Dutch farmer. Apart from the fact that they both yearn for the same woman these two men are completely different creatures. In "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", Washington Irving does not hide the fact that he clearly favors Ichabod Crane over Brom Bones. Ichabod Crane is a somewhat geeky tall lanky man. He is a highly educated schoolmaster who travels from home to home teaching young children. "Ichabod Crane had a soft and foolish heart towards the sex". He clearly doubts himself with the ladies and appears to be a rather insecure character throughout the narrative. On the other hand, Ichabod Crane's adversary Bram Bones is quite the opposite. Bram Bones is a rather large robust burly and somewhat arrogant man. He is well known for his "feats of strength and hardihood. He is a confident man who expects his advances on a lady to be reciprocated. Bram Bones traveled with his gang of friends whereas Ichabod Crane seemed to be a loner who traveled by himself. Interestingly, both men were well known for their knowledge and skill in their own trades. Nevertheless, even their choice of vocation couldn't be more contrary. Bram Bones was known for his great knowledge and skill in horsemanship. His profession was a hands on job requiring great physical...
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...Rip Van Winkle summary: Rip Van Winkle is a story about Rip falling asleep for 20 years in the Catskill Mountains and wakes up to discover the world around him has changed. He finds that the American Revolutionary war has taken place and instead of being a subject of His Majesty George the Third, he is now a free citizen of the United States. Characters Rip Van Winkle Rip Van Winkle is a “simple good-natured fellow” living in a small village in upper New York during the time that New York is a colony of Great Britain. To the neighbors he is known as a kind and helpful man, always eager to play with children or help with a chore. To his wife, however, he is known as a lazy and useless man, who neglects his own children and leaves his own fields untended and his fences broken. Dame Van Winkle Dame Van Winkle is Rip’s wife. “Dame” is not her first name, but her title, the word used by the Dutch inhabitants in place of “Mrs.” In the eyes of Rip and his sympathetic neighbors; Dame Van Winkle is stern and unreasonable. The narrator calls Rip “an obedient hen-pecked husband,” and places his wife in the category of “shrews,” (a woman of violent temper and speech) calling her a “termagant,” or overbearing, wife. Apparently, she finds fault with Rip because he does no profitable work, does not help around the house, and shows no interest in the well being of his children or his wife. How readers are to see Dame Van Winkle’s character is a central question in the story: Is she a...
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...Washington Irving was born on April 3rd 1783 in New York City by parents William Irving SR and Sarah Irving he was the youngest of 11 children. William Irving was well known as the man you created short stories also for the many books he has written such as “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, “The sketch book of Geoffrey Crayon”, “Gent Tales of the Alhambra”, “Tales of a Traveler”, “Brace Bridge Hall”, “A tour on the Prairies”, “The life and voyages of Christopher Columbus”, “The history of New York”, “Letters of Jonathon old style”, “Salmagundi”, “George Washington”, “Voyages and Discoveries of the Companions of Columbus”, “The Complete tales of Washington Irving”, “Rip Van Winkle”, and “Three Western Narratives history, tales, and sketches”. Washington Irving was named after George Washington and he attended the first presidential inauguration of his namesake in 1789. He went to a private school and studied law and began to write essays for periodicals. He worked in it in various offices until 1804. He also wrote articles for The Morning Chronicle and The Corrector, both newspapers edited by his brother Peter. He wasn’t a very good student and almost didn’t pass the bar. Washington, his brother William Irving and James Kirke wrote a collection of funny essays but he became more known for “A History of New York”, written under the name of "Diedrich Knickerbocker.". He went to England to work for his brothers business in 1815. He wrote a collection of stories called...
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...Washington Irving “Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above them.” Washington Irving, a well-known short story author in the nineteenth century, spoke these words of wisdom. Washington Irving became famous in America for his fine works from The Specter Bridegroom to Rip Van Winkle to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. These satirical sketches are all based on the local areas in New York where Irving resided. His adventures through life spread the word of his writings and he became one of the first renowned short story writers in Europe. Washington Irving was born in New York, New York on April 3, 1783. His mother, Sarah, and father, William Irving, Sr., had eleven children including Washington. He was named after the United States first president, George Washington who was sought to be the greatest hero of all time to his parents. “… He attended the first presidential inauguration of his namesake in 1789” (Biography Channel). Irving was privately schooled and later went to study law in New York after his return from travelling Europe. In 1804 he travelled to France and Italy, while writing journals and letters. When he returned in 1805, Irving continued law school but did poorly for he barely passed the bar exam. (Biography Channel). After Irving finished his studies, he went on to write humorous essay with his older brother William Irving, Jr., and James Kirke Paulding. The Salamagundi papers published the essays in 1807 to 1808....
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...The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Nate Holbus Ichabod, the tall, slick, innocent man, anxiously rode his horse through the gloomy forest. Hard splashes of wet dirt throughout the forest produced a nerve racking echoing sound behind them. Ichabod’s muscles tensed up. Up the hill he traveled. The instructor started to become afraid, because he felt that someone, or something, was following him. Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him, and they were becoming louder, and louder, and louder. Ichabod’s horse started running. Sweat ran down the bodies of Ichabod and the frightened horse. The terrified teacher struggled to position himself correctly as he became unbalanced on the horse. Ichabod then felt a hot, horrifying breath on the bone of his neck....
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...Washington Irving is often named "the Father of American Literature." He is best known for his work of “Rip Van Winkle”, a historical fiction story, written around the time of the American Revolution. The character of Rip Van Winkle that Irving creates certainly has a unique personality and character that stands out from everyone in the story. In the story of Rip Van Winkle, Rip could be described as a thoughtful, easy-going person but also irresponsible. Irving creates the character of Rip Van Winkle as a thoughtful man. He was adored by just about everyone who knew his name. Rip “would never refuse to assist a neighbor even in the roughest toil” (151). He never made an excuse to not help someone else, even if it meant to put off his own work. This characteristic creates positive effect of his personality and heart to others around him and the reader. The author continues to mention his thoughtfulness saying that even “the women of the...
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...Throughout the short story “Rip Van Winkle” Washington Irving explains the story of a man who is so bossed, bothered and controlled by his wife that when he falls asleep and awakens 20 years later, he is thrilled when he realizes he no longer has to deal with her. Rip Van Winkle wakes up and the people who were the colonists of Great Britain were now citizens of the United States of America. Irving’s compulsive use of historical references makes the reader question if he is symbolizing something else through this relationship of husband and wife. We can gather this easily but what we cannot understand is why Rip is so surprised that Independence from Great Britain is declared. Irving just might be suggesting that much of society did not feel...
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...Washington Irving uses imagery to convey his messages and themes. It gives a vivid experience, shows specific emotions, and suggests ideas. Through Irving’s use of imagery the nature of Tom Walker is revealed as greedy and dishonest. Tom has no morals, he intends to get what he wants from the devil after selling his soul without a care in the world. Irving also uses imagery to describe the lesson that is being taught in this story. “They lived in a forlorn-looking house that stood alone and had an air of starvation./ no smoke ever curled from its chimney; no traveler stopped at its door.” (Irving, 314) The author describes the un kept house of the Walkers as a miserable setting. This helps readers also characterize the property owners as unpleasant...
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...The tale being discussed shares a handful of morals and lessons, while also expressing the author's views of marriage. The short story, Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving tells the story of young man, Rip, who is nagged by his wife and one day ventures into the woods to shoot squirrels. Rip left his failing farm one day to escape Mrs. Van Winkle’s arguing. He falls asleep high in the mountain after drinking from a keg that he had assisted carry to a mysterious group of travelers. He then wakes up 20 years later to a completely different world. His gun has rusted and his dog, Wolf has disappeared. In his village he discovers that there are more houses, unfamiliar children, and his house that is normally kept tidy is in a state of despair....
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...was influenced from the European gothic style of writing; the American writer, Washington Irving acts as a bridge, displaying this style in his works, and essentially sparking the American Romantic movement. Of course, to start a movement so widespread, Irving needed inspiration; fortunately, his trip to Europe included scores of opportunities for such, and played an integral role Irving’s starting of the American Romantic Movement. Specifically, one such inspiration he picked up from Europe was the habit of keeping journals. Irving’s journals became one of his most prized possessions, and in them, he was constantly trying to improve on his writing. (Williams). Another source of inspiration for Irving was the European myths and legends that he learned of. In fact, “Irving's most important friendship in Granada, both now and during his second visit in 1829, was with this Spanish peasant, Mateo Ximénez, who acted as his guide and who told him many tales which later appeared in Irving book. (The Alhambra 1832)” (Williams) (22) “Irving wanders into the town of Sleepy Hollow, New York, and is told of the story of the Headless Horseman, also known as the Galloping Hessian.” (Characteristics) (Booksie)A final source of influence for Irving’s writings are the, “delightful letters,” that Irving wrote to Mlle. Antoinette Bolviller, a niece of M. D'Oubril, the Russian minister at Madrid. Irving took great pride in these letters, and he often sought help on writing them. There is speculation...
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...Groupthink is a concept that was identified by psychologist Irving Janis. It refers to faulty decision-making in a group. Janis defines groupthink as: "a mode of thinking people engage in when they are deeply involved in a cohesive in-group, when the members' striving for unanimity override their motivation to realistically appraise alternative courses of action. Groupthink refers to a deterioration of mental efficiency, reality testing, and moral judgment that results from in-group pressures." (Borchers) When groups engage in groupthink, they all agree with one another instead of bringing their own ideas into the discussion. Groupthink interferes with creativity and independent thinking. It occurs when the staff is more concerned with seeking the approval of others than coming up with breakthrough ideas. Normally when groups get together to resolve an issue or generate ideas, different points of view are generated. This is good because the more ideas and solutions are available to consider, the better the outcome will be. In other words, the best ideas are not from an individual, but from the experience of several. Groupthink members find a solution without weighing all other options first. With a groupthink situation, the leader usually verbalizes their opinion, sells the idea and no one disagrees. “Groupthink usually happens when one or a few vocal members are highly persuasive or assertive in pushing for their ideas and points of view, making it somewhat intimidating...
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...Rip Van Winkle Summary: “Rip Van Winkle” is an American masterpiece of the short story. It is based on local history but is rooted in European myth and legend. Irving reportedly wrote it one night in England, in June, 1818, after having spent the whole day talking with relatives about the happy times spent in Sleepy Hollow. The author drew on his memories and experiences of the Hudson River Valley and blended them with Old World contributions. “Rip Van Winkle” is such a well-known tale that almost every child in the United States has read it or heard it narrated at one time or another. Rip is a simple-minded soul who lives in a village by the Catskill Mountains. Beloved by the village, Rip is an easygoing, henpecked husband whose one cross to bear is a shrewish wife who nags him day and night. One day he wanders into the mountains to go hunting, meets and drinks with English explorer Henry Hudson’s legendary crew, and falls into a deep sleep. He awakens twenty years later and returns to his village to discover that everything has changed. The disturbing news of the dislocation is offset by the discovery that his wife is dead. In time, Rip’s daughter, son, and several villagers identify him, and he is accepted by the others. One of Irving’s major points is the tumultuous change occurring over the twenty years that the story encompasses. Rip’s little Dutch village had remained the same for generations and symbolized rural peace and prosperity. On his return, everything has...
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...When a person feels like the world is ending or is in danger they desire a savior. For this reason people believe in Jesus Christ who came into this world to save them from their own sins. In the same way our main character in the book, A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, John desires a savoir so he looks to his best friend, Owen Meany. There are many events in the novel that makes the reader believe that Owen is supposed to represent a Christ figure. A Christ figure is a character who resembles Jesus Christ in many ways except all of them fall short of perfect because they are still human. Owen is the novel’s Christ figure because the way he acts and even some of his own life events reflect the ways of Jesus Christ. The first event that...
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...(623). This showcases Owen’s primary symbol as an atonement figure - one that is very similar to Jesus. He is also seen to be deeply religious and shows his deep ties to God throughout the novel as an angel appears to him and during the play when he learns of the day of his death. Owen also is mentioned to be ‘lifted up’ by others multiple times throughout the novel, "The novel's death/resurrection motif is most cleverly expressed, however, in Irving's play on the physical and symbolic "lifting up" of Owen" (Haynes, 9), and ". . .Owen had to remain in the air for the rest of the pageant . . ." (Irving, 153). These are examples of how Owen is related to the atonement figure; by others ‘lifting him’, he is ascending as if he were God or a god-like figure. He is also described to be similar to a god, and during various instances throughout the novel, he is literally described as such. Irving provides the image in his novel, ". . .he looked like a descending angel - a tiny but fiery god, sent to adjudicate the error of our ways" (72). This quote shows a metaphor that relates Owen to a god, a symbol that appears frequently in A Prayer for Owen Meany. The reading audience also sees Owen as a symbol of imminent death, as the reader knows that Owen will cease to exist. Weaver regards this symbol in his work, "This is a faith that derives few if any ethical connotations from the life of the principal character, whether Jesus or Owen, whose primary function is to die" (626). This quote describes...
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