Rip Van Winkle - Irving, Washington

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Résumé :
INTRODUCTION The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers. His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history. Whenever, therefore, he happened upon a genuine Dutch family, snugly shut up in its low-roofed farmhouse, under a spreading sycamore, he looked upon it as a little clasped volume of black-letter, and studied it with the zeal of a book-worm. The result of all these researches was a history of the province during the reign of the Dutch governors, which he published some years since. There have been various opinions as to the literary character of his work, and, to tell the truth, it is not a whit better than it should be. Its chief merit is its scrupulous accuracy, which indeed was a little questioned on its first appearance, but has since been completely established; and it is now admitted into all historical collections as a book of unquestionable authority. The old gentleman died shortly after the publication of his work; and now that he is dead and gone, it cannot do much harm to his memory to say that his time might have been much better employed in weightier labours. He, however, was apt to ride his hobby in his own way; and though it did now and then kick up the dust a little in the eyes of his neighbours, and grieve the spirit of some friends, for whom he felt the truest deference and affection, yet his errors and follies are remembered more in sorrow than anger, and it begins to be suspected that he never intended to injure or offend. But however his memory may be appreciated by critics, it is still held dear by many folks whose good opinion is well worth having; particularly by certain biscuit-bakers, who have gone so far as to imprint his likeness on their new-year cakes; and have thus given him a chance for immortality, almost equal to the being stamped on a Waterloo medal, or a Queen Anne's farthing.

Biographie:
Washington Irving was an American short-story writer, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat who lived from April 3, 1783, to November 28, 1859. Rip Van Winkle (1819) and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1820), both of which are found in his collection The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent, are two of his best-known short stories. His historical writings include biographies of George Washington, Muhammad, and Oliver Goldsmith in addition to various histories of Spain in the fifteenth century that cover topics like the Alhambra, Christopher Columbus, and the Moors. In the 1840s, Irving represented America as ambassador to Spain. Irving made his literary debut in 1802 with a collection of observant letters to the Morning Chronicle, penned under the alias Jonathan Oldstyle. Irving was born and raised in Manhattan to a family of merchants. He temporarily relocated to England in 1815 for the family business, and it was there that he shot to popularity with the 1819-1820 serial publication of The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. He continued to publish often throughout his life, and eight months before his passing in Tarrytown, New York, at age 76, he finished a five-volume biography of George Washington.

Sommaire:
Washington Irving was an influential American author, essayist, and diplomat, best known for his contributions to early 19th-century literature. Born in 1783 in New York City, he gained fame with works such as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle, which are considered classic tales of American folklore. Irving's writing often blended humor, romance, and social commentary, reflecting his interest in both American and European cultures. He was a pioneer of the short story genre and his style showcased a blend of narrative richness and character development. In addition to fiction, Irving traveled extensively and wrote travel essays, including Tales of a Traveller, where he shared his observations and experiences across various landscapes and societies. His works played a significant role in shaping American literature, helping to establish a distinct American voice. As one of the first American authors to achieve international acclaim, Irving's legacy endures, influencing generations of writers....