Washington Irving earned his reputation as a major author by creating the short story. Later authors learned from and fashioned their short stories after his works. Irving was not boastful about his works. Instead, he had this to say, "If the tales I have furnished should prove to be bad, they will at least be found short".
Irving′s early works set an example for humorous writing, which later became an important part of American literature. In addition, Irving helped establish the short story as a popular literature for the United States.
He also had a way of combining folklore with romanticism in his literary works. His contributions helped to create America′s romantic literary movement.
Under the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker Washington Irving wrote A History of New York (1809), perhaps America′s first great book of comic literature. Dietrich Knickerbocker was supposed to be an eccentric Dutch-American scholar. The name Knickerbocker was later used to identify the first American school of writers, the "Knickerbocker Group", of which Irving was a leading figure.1
The book became part of New York folklore, and eventually the word "Knickerbocker" was also used to describe any New Yorker who could trace one′s family to the original Dutch settlers.
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1 http://www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap3/irving.html
Table of Contents
1. Preface
2. Introduction
3. The Life of Washington Irving
4. The Alhambra
5. Irving’s Motivation to Write the Tales
6. Conclusion
7. Literature
Research Objective and Scope
This work examines the life and literary contributions of Washington Irving, with a specific focus on his fascination with Spain and the creative inspiration behind his famous book, The Alhambra. The study explores how his travels, personal experiences, and interactions with local culture shaped his unique narrative style and cemented his status as a key figure in American literature.
- The biographical background and career development of Washington Irving.
- The architectural and historical significance of the Alhambra in Granada.
- The influence of Spanish folklore, legends, and personal travel experiences on Irving's writing.
- The role of Irving as a pioneer of the American short story and romantic movement.
Excerpt from the Book
Irving’s Motivation to Write the Tales
It is clear from a letter written a few days after his arrival that the first glimpse of the city was in perfect harmony with his fanciful conception of it:
Granada, bellissima Granada! think what must have been our delight, when, after passing the famous bridge de Pinos, the scene of many a bloody encounter between Moor and Christian, and remarkable for having been the place where Columbus was overtaken by the messenger of Isabella, when about to abandon Spain in despair, we turned a promontory of the arid mountains of Elvira, and Granada, with its towers, its Alhambra, and its snowy mountains, burst upon our sight. The evening sun shone gloriously upon its red towers as we approached it, and gave a mellow tone to the rich scenery of the vega. It was like the magic glow which poetry and romance have shed over this enchanting place.
In the early summer of 1829 Washington Irving had lived for a few months in the northeast of the palace. He then was very inspired by the great palace, its parent city, Granada, and the province around it.
Right from the beginning the fortress was like a symbolic literary work:
Summary of Chapters
1. Preface: Provides an overview of Washington Irving's significance as a pioneer of American literature and introduces the focus on his work regarding the Alhambra.
2. Introduction: Details Irving's reputation as a master of the short story and his role in establishing the romantic literary movement in America.
3. The Life of Washington Irving: Traces Irving’s early life in New York, his education, health struggles, and the experiences that ignited his passion for travel and literature.
4. The Alhambra: Describes the architectural splendor and historical context of the Alhambra as a central theme in Irving’s writings.
5. Irving’s Motivation to Write the Tales: Explores the specific experiences, including his stay in Granada and interactions with local guides, that inspired the creation of his famous tales.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes Irving’s enduring influence on literature, highlighting his sophisticated style and the profound impact of Spain on his creative output.
7. Literature: Lists the sources and references used throughout the study.
Keywords
Washington Irving, The Alhambra, American Literature, Romanticism, Granada, Short Story, Moorish Architecture, Folklore, Travel Literature, Biography, 19th Century, Tales of the Alhambra, Cultural History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
This work explores the literary career of Washington Irving, specifically focusing on his deep connection to Spain and the inspiration he derived from the Alhambra for his famous collection of tales.
What are the central themes of the text?
The central themes include Irving’s development as a writer, the intersection of folklore and romanticism, his life as a diplomat, and the profound influence of the Moorish palace in Granada on his work.
What is the main research goal?
The goal is to analyze the biographical and geographical factors that motivated Irving to write his specific tales about Spain and to evaluate his contribution to American literary history.
Which methodology is used in the study?
The work utilizes a biographical and descriptive approach, analyzing primary letters and historical context alongside Irving's published sketches to reconstruct his creative process.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers Irving’s upbringing, his extensive travels in Europe, his diplomatic assignments, his discovery of the Alhambra, and the people he met who influenced his storytelling.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Washington Irving, The Alhambra, romanticism, short stories, Spanish history, folklore, and travel literature.
How did Irving's living situation at the Alhambra influence his writing?
His residence within the palace provided him with a unique, solitary environment that allowed him to immerse himself in the atmosphere of the ruins and interact with the local residents, serving as a primary source of inspiration for his essays.
What significance did Mateo Ximenes have on Irving's work?
Mateo Ximenes acted as Irving's guide and companion, introducing him to neglected parts of the Alhambra and regaling him with local legends and superstitions that Irving later incorporated into his writing.
- Quote paper
- Katja Hartmann (Author), 2001, Washington Irving: The Alhambra His inspiration to write the tales, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/6359
