READING THE SKETCH-BOOK OF GEOFFREY CRAYON, GENT.

Washington Irving (1783-1859) left New York for Europe in 1815. In 1819 he began to send the sketches of The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. to the United States for serial publication. As you read these selections from The Sketch-Book, think about the relationship they suggest between Europe and America. You’ve already considered "The Author’s Account of Himself."  How are the contrasts laid out in that sketch played out in the other sketches? As you read the European sketches ("The Widow and Her Son" and "Christmas Day"), consider what Crayon finds interesting or appealing in Europe. Conversely, are there ways in which he seems disappointed with what he finds in Europe?

Then read the sketches set in America. What subjects attract Crayon’s attention? What do these four sketches have in common? You might want to think about "Traits of Indian Character" and "Philip of Pokanoket" as a pair, and about "Rip van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" as a pair. How does Crayon treat Native American subjects? What issues does he focus upon, and how does he represent them? Pay close attention to the metaphors he uses, as well as to images or words that recur in these two sketches. For example, how does he describe the destruction of Native American peoples?

Scholars have often debated how "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" fit into The Sketch-Book. How do these stories seem different from the other sketches? On the other hand, to what extent do they address themes that run through The Sketch-Book as a whole? What do they suggest about storytelling and storytellers?

As you consider these questions, consider as well the role of Crayon as narrator. Because Irving, like his narrator, traveled to Europe (in fact staying abroad for seventeen years), some readers are tempted to view Crayon and Irving as interchangeable. There are points, however, at which Irving seems to be playing with Crayon’s limitations. Take note of these points as you read them. On the other hand, there are certainly points in the text at which it’s not clear whether there’s any distance between Crayon’s voice and Irving’s voice. Again, take note of points at which it’s more difficult to distinguish the voices or opinions of Crayon and Irving. More broadly, how ironic is this text?

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