Back to HomePageWashington Irving (1783 to 1859)
Washington Irving (1783 to 1859) An overview of the author's life. Excerpted from White on Red, Eds. Black, Nancy B. and Bette S. Wiedman, New York; Kennikat Press, 1976.
Pertinent Texts and Images in the 19th Century American Indians in nineteenth century literature were seldom culturally relative. The authors failed to understand American Indians within the context of their separate cultures; instead, Indians became homogenized as the alien "Other," treated in terms of one of two polarizations: as the essentialized ideal, or the degenerated demon. n his fiction such as The Sketch Book, Washington Irving (1783-1859) allegedly developed a romantic portraiture of the Native American.
Traits of Indian Character from The Sketch Book by Washington Irving. Irving identifies American Indians with nature and lavishes praise upon their "natural" state: "There is something in the character and traits of the north American savage taken in connection with the scenery over which he is accustomed to range, its vast lakes, boundless forest, majestic rivers, and trackless plains that is, to my mind, wonderfully striking and sublime..." (qtd. in Zolla 97).
Rip Van Winkle: Past and Present The story of Rip Van Winkle covers three different time periods: America before British Rule, the early American Colonies under British Rule, and America after the Revolutionary War.
Rip Van Winkle Site This portion of the study includes a comparison between American vs. European literary tradition and the role Washington Irving plays in establishing an American tradition.
Rip Van Winkle Text
Rip Van Winkle an American Story Washington Irving set precedents in American literature with his story Rip Van Winkle. Subject matter of the story includes themes such as unique symbolism which establishes subjects specific to the changing American society.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow This interactive version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, by Washington Irving allows readers to comment on passages of the text and to read the comments of others.
The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Member of 
©1997
Dennis W. Mills, Ph.D.
