Washington Irving(1783-1859)

The main facts from Washington Irving’s biography.

1. The youngest of the 11 children.
2. Father- a well-to-do  New York merchant.
3. Educated at home.
4. Well-read .
5. Fond of wandering and observing nature.
6. Tried his hand at writing at the age of 15.
7. Together with his friends published a humorous paper.
8. Wrote a humorous history of New York . Diedrich Knickerbocker.
9. Travelled around Europe for 17 years.
10. 1819. The first collection of his writings “The Sketch Book” published with the help of Walter Scott.
11. 1824. Collection of “Tales of a Traveller” including “Rip Van Winkle”

Washington Irving’s contribution to American culture.

1. The Father of American prose and American short story.
2. The first to write history and biography books as literary entertainment.
3. The first to make colourful descriptions of American landscapes.
4. Helped to establish better relations between British and American writers.

Read the following sentences  and put them in the right order

1. Rip Van Winkle’s daughter recognizes him.
2. In despair Rip goes squirrel hunting in the mountains.
3. Rip sees a strange looking man with a barrel.
4. Rip tastes the liquor in the flagon.
5. On the way back to the village Rip became aware of his foot- long beard.
6. Rip Van Winkle is reunited with his children and community.
7. He falls asleep.
8. With difficulty Rip finds his house.

Imagine that you have fallen into a long sleep like Rip’s. What changes in your neighbourhood and country do you think you would discover when you awoke.