Washington Irving and the Fantasy of Masculinity: Escaping the Woman Within

Washington Irving is a nineteenth-century American author known for his short stories like "Rip van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." He struggled with his male identity and chose to engage with masculine archetypes through his writing, defining his male identity vicariously. His tales from the Spanish period, western adventures, and historical biographies of Columbus, Mahomet, and Washington reflect masculine themes. This book is the first to encompass and examine Irving's writings.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2022
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

Washington Irving, a renowned American author of the 19th century, is celebrated for his captivating short stories such as "Rip van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." His literary prowess extended beyond these works, as he also authored George Washington's biography and various other life stories. Throughout his life, Irving defied societal expectations of masculinity, often being perceived as feminine, shy, and non-confrontational. This unconventional perspective influenced his writing, as he sought to define his male identity through masculine archetypes, both fictional and non-fictional.

Sitting at the intersection of literary studies and masculinity studies, this interpretation reconstructs Irving's lifelong quest to establish himself among other men. His tales, spanning from the Spanish period to western adventures and historical biographies of figures like Columbus, Mahomet, and Washington, exhibit masculine themes. Notably, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" prominently features these themes, making it a pioneering work in examining Irving's entire body of work.

Through his writings, Irving explored the complexities of masculinity, challenging traditional notions and exploring the diverse expressions of male identity. His stories offer a rich tapestry of characters and narratives that reflect the multifaceted nature of masculinity in different historical contexts. By examining Irving's life and work, readers gain a deeper understanding of the 19th-century literary landscape and the enduring impact of his contributions to American literature.

Weight: 396g
Dimension: 150 x 224 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476686660