Saturday, October 15, 2011
Throughout the story
Rip Van Winkle, Washington Irving relies heavily on the use
of description in regards to both nature and characters. There are
many different scenes in which nature is described in great detail,
and most of the characters have their features described carefully.
In which ways is this reliance on nature important? What does it
say about Rip Van Winkle and his attributes regarding the earthly
world? What about the description of characters? What is it that
Irving is saying about Rip's tendency to detail things? Is there a
connection between how he views the world and how he interacts with
it?
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The input of detail in a story is extremely important. Details give an accurate description of the setting or character, and allow the reader to connect with the story on a more personal level. For example the sentence "The cat was a deep dark brown with vanilla spots scattered on his back like snow," makes much more impact on the reader rather than just saying, "The cat was brown with spots."
ReplyDeleteOften times a character is a reflection of the writer. A writer can put so much of themselves into a character that they seem almost real to them. They know things about the character that they may not even reveal to the reader. I think detail is an important aspect of this. Without detail a reader cannot even begin to become attached to the character. Being able to relate to the character is essential to an understanding of the story. This way the reader can relate to the character and appreciate the story.
Attention to the detail of the setting is also important. A reader cannot really feel the story if they cannot depict the surroundings of the character. Saying a general statement such as "The forest was green," does not give the reader as clear of a picture as saying "The forest was a lucid green with dark shadows between the trunks giving an ominous feel." The stress on details in characters and setting allow the plot to unravel and be comprehended much better. It also makes for an overall interesting read.
Consideration of detail is very evident in "Rip Van Winkle." The way Rip describes the Kaatskill Mountains as "When the weather is fair and settled they are clothed in blue and purple, and print their bold outlines on the clear evening sky." This details not only allows the reader to illustrate the setting, but it shows that Rip pays close attention to detail in nature. It also states that Rip has a great appreciation and admiration for nature. This is a very good example of Romanticism, which I think Irving displays very well in "Rip Van Winkle." Rip also describes the characters in the story, like when he meets the small men in the forest bowling. He describes their fashion, and how odd it was to him with words like "outlandish" and "peculiar." These all help describe the characters, plus is an example of how observant Rip is of other people.
Rip, I think, views the world in a very appreciative matter. There was not one instance in the story where he was destructive against nature or other people. He may not have had the best worth ethic for himself, but he was always willing to work with others. He may have though that the people he met around the flagon were strange looking, but he did not call them out for it. Rip's awareness of the awe and wonder of nature and his fellow characters is a stunning display of his personal character. It shows that he is a kind man who finds beauty in nature. Romanticism is all about imaginative thinking and the love of nature, which is revealed very well in the personal character of Rip Van Winkle.
A story without details and descriptions is not a very exciting story at all. Details engage our scenes and draw us into the story or piece of work we are reading. Without details we would feel so disconnected to the story that it would take the entertainment out of the story. Details and descriptions let us see the beauty of nature, let us smell what the character is smelling, let us feel the textures that the author has in mind, and most importantly puts the reader into the story. Setting is not the only important thing to describe, characters are also as important, if not more important. When characters are wonderfully described we can feel their pain, joy, or whatever feeling they possess. Descriptions let us see them as a real person, rather than a fictional character. Details in character also let readers feel like they know the character on a personal level. Washington Irving did a great job of this in Rip Van Winkle.
ReplyDeleteRip's feeling towards nature is very prevalent in the story. He pays close attention to the little details surrounding nature and all of its beauty. We also see Rip's close detail regarding people in the story. The way he knows his wife in and out shows us that he pays close attention to her and knows her very well. He also shows this attentiveness to other characters such as the man smoking the pipe, the little men, and his dog. Rip is shown as a person that is appreciative of nature and people.
I think there is a definite connection between the way he views the world and the way he acts in it. He has this great view that is extremely laid back, kind, and content. He acts upon these views by wondering about and helping people when he can. Washington Irving shows that Rip is a part of the American Romanticism period because of his intuition, adoration of nature, and spontaneity.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Rip Van Winkle. I agree that description is very important but to an extent. I see many times in older stories such as the American Tragedy that there is often too much description and that can also make the story uninteresting. Writers have to find the medium for description not too much and just enough. The description for characters and scene are the most important. I always hate when a movie comes out and it will ruin what I have pictured the characters as. Description allows you to make a mental picture in your mind. The description words such as the majestic, mysterious and magical mountains actually can be used for foreshadowing. Another example of this is in the story "Of Mice and Men", Curly's wife wears a lot of the color red. In our minds this description allows us to think of things associated with red, such as danger and passion. I cannot stress how important they are when writing.
ReplyDeleteIt is part of the American Romanticism period because of the beauty of nature and how it cannot be captured and the fantasy in which is plays part. Personally I prefer fantasy to fact.
Life would be boring without details. Everything would be the same and boring. There would not be any fun patterns or colors. When we looked around there would not be anything that caught our eye. This is how it would also be if books and stories did not have detail in them. Everything would be so general. Authors would not have anything special about them. Many authors are known for their specific use of details in certain ways. Without details reading and writing would not be as fun as it is.
ReplyDeleteDetail about a scene that the event takes place in is very important. It help gives the reader the sense that they are really in the story. It allows them to take themselves there in their imagination. Readers can take their minds off everything that is going on around them and get lost in the scene of the book. Washington Irving does a great job of describing how the scenes look. He starts the story of “Rip Van Winkle” describing in great details the mountains that Rip lives in. he describes how the Kaatskill Mountains change with the weather and the image of the villages at the end of the mountain. This really allows us to put ourselves in the village of Rip Van Winkle. Even without saying it directly the reader can imagine so much more from other details that the author puts in the story. These other details include things such as colors and even smells.
Irving also describes the characters in great detail. By doing this we are able to get a very clear picture of what each character looks like. Not only does he describe the details of the characters looks but he also describes the characters attitude and personality traits. Doing this makes the characters even more realistic. It helps us relate to how the character will react in certain situations that happen throughout the story.
In “Rip Van Winkle” Rip is a very detailed man especially when it comes to nature. This tells the reader a lot of things about Rip also. It shows us that Rip pays attention to the smaller things in life. he may not be the hardest worker but he does not take everything for granted. he realizes that some things are so special they cannot be overlooked such as the beauty and tranquility of nature. I think that he also describes nature in so much detail because that is where he feels most comfortable. When there is trouble at home or he just needs to relax he ventures into the woods of the mountains. The woods and outdoors soothe him and allow him to relax. Many people can relate to a character like this because the woods are so relaxing.
Rip’s attention to detail in nature also says something about the author. It can hit toward the fact that Washington Irving was a man who valued nature. He took time to sit back and really look at nature and its beauty. The wood very well could have been a place that Washington Irving also went when he was having troubles in his own life. Such as dealing with the reality of war or thinking of what to write.
Details are very important in writing. The details tell so much about the author and the characters in the book. The characters also help show the feelings of the authors. Without detail all books would be the same and reading would not be as enjoyable as it is today.
Washington Irving uses a surplus of details in the story of Rip Van Winkle. In this technique he engages his readers. The readers are more intrigued in the story because they can relate to the character in some way. The reader may feel that they are like that person or that they have been in a similar situation as the character. Readers may also be able to relate the character to some one that they know. Without these details the characters would be too general, therefore more difficult to relate to. Washington Irving pulls his readers into the story with details.
ReplyDeleteThe details he uses to describe the environment and the settings that he places his characters in are for basically the same reason that he uses details to describe his characters. He wants us, as readers, to be able to relate to the setting. The details allow us to visualize where the characters are at. This also allows us to further understand what the character/characters are undergoing.
Rip Van Winkle is considered a Romantic short-story. Washington Irving would have to include some of the characteristics of Romanticism in Rip Van Winkle in order for his story to be categorized as so. Washington Irving uses much detail in regard to settings and environment. One of the characteristics of Romanticism is stressing the environment, which Washington Irving does in his short story.
I think that Rip Van Winkle shows a wonderful and immense appreciation for the world. He always describes nature positively. He backs up his words with his actions. Rip sleeps outside and he hikes. The manner in which Rip views and treats the world are in accord with each other. Rip pays close attention to the things and people that he encounters. He is very attentive, which allows him to use detail in his descriptions. This further proves Rip’s appreciation for nature because if he did not appreciate nature he would not pay attention to its detail.
This type of writing is useful in short stories because the story is shorter so the author has to get his/her point off quickly. Using many details can help the author to pull his/her readers into the story without having to write too many pages. I believe that this technique can become very boring in novels. Sometimes authors of novels think that they can write an abundance of details because they are not limited to a certain amount of pages do the genre of their story. I think the Washington Irving does a wonderful job using details to engage his readers.
Sophie and Kristin, I agree with both of you in that Rip does have an appreciation towards people as well as nature. Many people probably over-look his appreciation towards people because of how evident his appreciation of nature is to the reader. Both of you pointed out how he appreciates others, even if they are not perfect. When Rip encounters the dwarf-like men he realizes that they are different, but he does not make fun of them for it. In regard to his wife, he is very respectful. He does become annoyed with her at times, but that does not mean he does not love her. Rip’s appreciation toward people makes him a likeable character.
Laira, I also agree with you. As I stated in my blog, authors need to be careful of how much detail they put in their stories. Detail can also push the reader away, not just pull them in. Good authors know the medium they need to create an intriguing story. Also, you made a good point with the color of red in the story Of Mice and Men. Authors use color to symbolize many different things. If the reader recognizes these types of details they will further understand the story. Theodore Dreiser also uses color in An American Tragedy to symbolize. Authors that use much detail draw different types of people to their stories than authors that do not use a lot of detail, it all depends on the preferences of the reader.
Kristin,
ReplyDeleteYou had a very good point. The way that Rip pays such close attention to detail really makes him an American Romanticism character. Especially the close attention he pays to nature. Nature is a big characteristic of the American Romanticism. You had another great point when you said how Rip pays such close attention to details of other characters. This shows how much he really cares about others. He does know his wife inside and out even though she can get on his last nerve. He is able to care about people and help people so much because he knows them so well. I think this is what helps so many people be able to relate to Rip so well and his story. People are able to realte better to people who seem real and nice. By the detail that Washington Irving injects in this story the readers can really relate to Rip Van Winkle in his story.
Morgan,
ReplyDeleteYou have a very good point. The detail that Rip pays to nature shows that it is something that was very important to him. I think that he could almost be considered an early environmentalist. Throughout the book he holds nature in very high regards this make me think just how important nature is to him. He also never degrades nature or uses it in a bad way. This is just like many environmentalists today. Rip also loved being in nature. Just as today’s environmentalists also do. The story of Rip Van Winkle is a very detailed story that shows us a lot about what people thought of the environment in the 1800’s.
Throughout "Rip Van Winkle", Washington Irving shows a great amount of detail because he wants us to realize how great everything is. He wants to show us how majestic the Catskill Mountains are, which is important to the story. All the details about the village help us imagine what the town looked like, even though we do not live in that time. All the details about the places also show us the difference in time. If he would not have been so descriptive, we never would have realized that any time went by.
ReplyDeleteThe details of the characters are also very important. The guys Rip meets in the mountains would not be nearly as important if Irving had not described them in such a supernatural way. If he had not described Dame Van Winkle as a termagant wife, we would never know why Rip went off into the mountains.
Details in stories help us picture everything in our head. It helps us bring the story to life and I think without the details, we would all get very bored with stories. We need the descriptive details to make everything seem real and important.
Washington Irving also showed us all the details through a characters eyes. Everything he wanted us to know and see, he told through Rip. That shows that he wanted his character to be attentive and really enjoy how great everything was around him.
There is a great connection between Rip and how he views the world. He sees it as this great place that is so mystical. He also treats it that way. When he is walking up the mountains, he describes how beautiful it truly is. Washington Irving wanted us to realize how wonderful Rip thought the world was. He loved everything about it, even the parts that were not so pretty. He is also very calm and serene, exactly like the nature around him.
Washington Irving made sure Rip fit perfectly into the romantic period. He loved nature and was laid back and not always so literal. That is why everyone feels like they can connect with him a little bit.
Taylor,
ReplyDeleteYou had a great point about his closeness to nature. I too find the woods and the beauty of nature very relaxing. Rip is truly a romantic character when it comes to this. I also never thought that Rip's closeness to nature may be a reflection of the author's closeness to nature, and how nature might be his escape from the harshness of real life. This is a very good point.
Morgan, I loved when you said "he backs up his words with his actions." I had never thought of that before, but now thinking about it, it is so true. I also agree with the fact that he had to get his point across quickly. I never thought about how limited he was with the amount of space he had. Some of your ideas were very thought provoking.
ReplyDeleteTaylor, I agreed with you on the fact that Rip did not take anything for granted. That was such a true point. I think sometimes the people who work less and have less see the smaller things in life. They take time to look around and appreciate what they have. I think if we are too stressed or too worried about everything, we forget about the beauty around us.
Laira,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you when you said that sometimes details can be overbearing. I find it extremely annoying when I am reading a book and find that there is more detail then the actual story. I think a great author means one that can be descriptive, yet hold your attention and keep you engaged in the story. This could very well just be a few people that like a medium amount of detail. There may be some readers that thrive on extreme description. Like you, I also hate when I build up my own version of a character then watch a movie and find that they interpreted the character much different then I did.
Steph,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you said that the detail helps us picture the story. Without these details it is very hard to picture it. When we read a story, often times we picture a movie happening in our minds, and without these crucial details we as readers are unable to do so. I also agree with what you said as Rip seeing the world as "mystical." He definitely has a great appreciation for the world and its immense beauty.
Laira,
I really liked the point you brought up about "Of Mice and Men." The color red describing Curley's wife did help us as readers think of things like danger and passion relating to the story. I think that without that detail of description the character would not have come across to us as easily. I think Irving did this very well in "Rip Van Winkle." He described the characters so we could picture them in our minds, like the strange men in the woods that Rip meets. I also agree with you when you say you prefer fantasy over fact. Personally, I prefer imagination and fantasy over reality any day!
Out of Irving’s descriptions, nature settings are his most detailed descriptions. In the very beginning he talks about the mountains and how they affect everyday life of the villagers. When he hikes up into the mountains you can have an almost perfect image of a forest surrounding your imagination. When he wakes up he describes his surroundings but not exactly saying, “you were asleep for a long time,” but the reader can imagine a forest growing and changing over years of his slumber.
ReplyDeleteHis descriptions say that he enjoys nature. When he wants quiet time, to get away from his wife and the village, he goes up into his beautifully described forest. There, he hunts or just sits under a tree; he also enjoys his dog’s company. Most of the story takes place in the woods and the town is not the focal point. He hikes for fun so he is defiantly a nature loving person.
The description of the characters was also in depth. Their actions, such as their ways of expressing attitudes in smoke, or even how his wife is described were very detailed. He pays so much attention to the little details. It is proven by his descent off the mountain, he did not recognize anyone. Yet, when he lived in the town years ago, he knew everyone, what they looked like, their family, and political/social opinions.
Irving tells us by writing to Rip’s detailed descriptions that he is attentive. He does not just look at appearances of thing and people but goes into depth on how they relate to him or to others. This also gives more information about how he does not let anything really get by him with out his notice, so later in the story when he doesn’t recognize anyone; you know it is not because he failed to notice people or things earlier in the story.
The way he views the world is connected with how he interacts with it. He is a more laid back type of person. He sees the beauty of the world and thus fails to really see problems concerning the world and him.
Laira: I share your opinion that "American Tragedy" has way to much repetitive details that kill the story within. "Rip Van Winkle" is a perfect balance with plenty of detail to imagine the situation with out going overboard with unnecessary descriptions over and over.
Taylor: The writing and descriptions do really tell us about the author. Many times authors will base characters on themselves or people who they have met in their lifetime. This is an interesting point to make because if Washington was Rip in real life this book never would have been written because Rip does not do anything for himself. So you have to wonder what gave Irving this topic for his book.
The attention to detail helps to distinquish one writer from another. Washington Irving has broken the mold in a way since he actually puts us, his audience, into the Catskill Mountains with Rip. He leads us by the hand as we observe Nature's dessert and he does this without us actually realizing it.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with some of the comments on The American Tragedy in that "repetitive details .... kill the story within". Keep in mind that we have two different writers in two different time frames. Dreiser is focusing on characterization and setting - and is dealing with a wealth of characters in comparision to Irving in Rip Van Winkle. Yes, I think that we can certainly say that one style may relate to some students more than others; however, after reading many novels, we begin to understand "style" a bit better. A writer's style is often his "pen" - his or her identity.
Good job on all of the ideas and on the appreciation of detail in Irving's work.
Anyone can write a story, however, not everyone can write a great story. Washington Irving wrote a great story when he wrote Rip Van Winkle. He accomplished this by using incredible detailing in the story. Without great detail, no story can be great because how can someone truly relate to a story and/or be drawn into a story without great detailing? Without details, many stories would be very boring and no one would want to read them. Irving’s Rip Van Winkle has such great in-depth detailing that it really makes you feel like you are there alongside Rip as he describes the Kaatskill Mountains, or the many different people he encounters, such as his termagant wife or the strangely dressed men he encounters in the amphitheater in the mountains.
ReplyDeleteIn the story, the way Rip describes everything around him speaks volumes of the way he sees the world. He takes in so many small details that the average person would miss or just pass by and he embraces those details. Rip Van Winkle is a prime example of American Romanticism because it embraces the immense beauty of the natural world by going to great lengths to describe the breathtaking scenery. Also, in the story there is a great air of mystery and the supernatural surrounding the entire situation of Rip first encountering the strange man carrying the keg and then drinking from the flagon with the other strange men in the amphitheater, after which he awakens twenty years later in the future. Yet again, this story uses great detailing, when after awakening, Rip immediately begins to see all the changes that have occurred in his absence. He gives great descriptions of the changed village, from his own home being a run-down mess, to the old inn being replaced by a rickety wooden hotel. All of his detailing also shows how Rip takes in, and then adapts to, his environment. He has to take in all that has changed, but being such an easy-going man, Rip is able to adapt to and embrace his new life and the people in it.
Elizabeth, I agree with your opinion of how Rip goes into great detail of the people around him and not just their appearance. He tells of how they act, their appearances, and their attitudes towards other people. One example is when Rip describes the strange men he encounters in the mountains. He tells how they are dressed very weirdly, at least to him it is weird. He also says that they are bowling and drinking and pretty much having a party or gathering, but their expressions are so serious it does not really fit the event.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, I greatly agree with your idea of how Irving goes to great lengths to describe the environment and scenery in the story so that we can put ourselves into the story. So that we can feel like we are really there, in the amazingly beautiful Kaatskill Mountains, or sitting around in front of the quaint little inn. I also agree with you on that Irving used the great detailing of the village and its people to be able to show the reader that quite some time has passed since Rip first went up the mountain to when he awoke and returned to the village.
An author’s use of great detail in a story or poem or any other type of literary work allows the reader to develop not only an interest in the story, but it also allows the reader to put themselves almost in the characters position. It allows the reader to not only read the story but live it
ReplyDeleteIt is very easy to tell a good author by being able to put yourself in the story, in Rip Van Winkle, Washington Irving really allows you to become the character. You can easily visualize the mountains near the area that he lives. It is also very easy to feel the way the character feels. Washington Irving makes us understand why Rip finds no harm in walking away from his strict wife. We can get a sense of realism.
The use of great detail that Irving uses also allows us to relate to how everything looks. Living in the mountains allows me to relate to the setting of the town where Rip Van Winkle lives. The added detail to the story allows a reader to visualize exactly what the town, village, and the overall emotion of the story.
The personification that Rip uses also allows us to get a feel for the description, and Washington Irving uses a lot of personification in his writings.
By showing the detail in nature, it allows us to get a feel for the way Rip Van Winkle sees the world. It makes us realize that he has a real personal attachment to the world around him and the natural feel to it. It lets us know that even though he is a lazy person, he does pay attention to detail, and takes pride in God’s creation.
The detail that is represented in the characters allows us to be put in Rip’s position. When Dame Van Winkle yells at him, you feel pity for Rip. The overall description of the character allows us to not only feel how Rip feels, but it allows us to make our own opinions of a certain character. When you see a person puffing smoke harshly, you can visualize the character in this story that communicates by the way that he smokes.
I can really put my self into the story, and Washington Irving’s use of descriptive detail in even small things allows me to be in the story. It also shows that Rip even though he does not take pride in much, takes pride in seeing detail, and his appreciation for nature itself.
Kristin,
I strongly agree with your point that details draw us to the piece we are reading. If a has little detail, then we cannot really engage ourselves in what we are reading, and we cannot make connections. I did not think of the point that you made on how through the use of detail we can see a character as a real person, not just a character that was made up completely by an author and is completely fictional. I really enjoyed that fact.
Scott,
I like the point you made on how everyone can write a story, but not everyone can write something great. Washington Irving is truly a great author. It is very hard to use descriptive detail that allows us to interact with the characters in a story. Through his use of detail we are able to see the world through Rip Van Winkles eyes. Because Rip Van Winkle is a character of Washington Irving, we are also able to see how Irving see the world.
Washington Irving is a great writer of description. He is excellent at telling how the mountains were “…clothed in blue and purple, and print their bold outlines on the clear evening sky…” This description gives the reader a sense of how almost painted they look, of their majesty. It hints that they are mystical, that anything can happen in their concealing drape of trees. When the reader finds out about the elves that are bowling, the extensive description gives the scene some verisimilitude. The reader does not question what happens, and the story continues smoothly.
ReplyDeleteThe description of characters is very important in this story. The reader needs to understand how the people of the village act and look, so they can recognize (or not recognize) them later. When Rip comes back after twenty years, he and the reader are both looking for the familiar faces of the villagers. When Rip does not see any of his old friends, the reader begins to realize that some time has passed between him falling asleep and when he walked to the village. Irving also mentioned how none of the dogs of the village barked at Rip before he went to the mountains. Afterward, he recognized none of them, and they barked as he walked by. This gives a clear clue that something is different.
There is almost an ironic connection between his view of the world, and how he interacts with it. I think that Rip views the world in that everyone is in need of help. He knows that there are responsibilities, and that someone has to do them. He understands this, but he does not do his own chores. He knows that they need done, but he prefers to do other people’s chores for them. He is most happy to help someone out, but does not understand that his wife is the one that needs his help the most.
Laira, I strongly agree with you how you said that over description kills a story. I think that Irving has mastered the art of description, but some other writers need more lessons. Before the PSATs, Mrs. Evans gave my class a paper on English grammar, and common mistakes that we make. One of the topics included “wordiness”. The example sentence took twelve words to say what could be said in eight. These extra words bore the reader, and they forget what is happening in the beginning of the sentence. An American Tragedy is very wordy, and sometimes it is hard to follow the meaning of the sentence. The reader fails to remember what was going on, and then fails to remember the story (or in other words, kills it).
Elizabeth, I like what you said about Irving not coming out and telling the reader that Rip was asleep for awhile. He almost forces the reader to imagine what the forest looked like, and gives them a chance to be creative. This is another great example of his excellent use of description, unlike other authors who would overkill it.
When authors are preparing a novel or short story, they always try to create ways to get their readers involved. What’s a story if it’s not interesting? Books that are most often read and passed on through generations are those that have an attractive theme to them that people can either relate to or imagine in their readings. “Rip Van Winkle” is one of those stories that have been read for years among people of all ages.
ReplyDeleteWashington Irving took time to put detail into his stories. In “Rip Van Winkle”, he especially described the Kaatskill Mountains at the beginning. As the audience first reads the passage about the mountains, it often wonders what the importance of it could be. Often times, it will be re-read so that the understanding becomes clearer. The heavy description of the mountains shows the great role they play in the story. From being a magnificent view to being the main focus of the villagers, the Kaatskills outline the village of Rip Van Winkle.
Dame Van Winkle is a character with much detail. She’s termagant and totally controlling of her husband, Rip. Without the descriptions, readers could portray Dame Van Winkle in any way they could imagine. Her personality adds to the story in that she’s overly controlling and likes to have things her own way. It adds a comic aspect to the reading and allows readers to enjoy the predicament of Rip.
Concerning the earthly world, Rip doesn’t really seem to fit in. The other women in the village find a great likeness in him, unlike his wife. He’d much rather do things for others rather than do anything for himself. He’s lazy in a way that his own life is worth less than the lives of others. This describes the personality of Rip. He likes to wander off and be secluded by himself, relieving himself from the pressures of Dame. His deep, long sleep represents how low the physical world’s importance is in Rip’s life.
Rip sees the world as though it’s against him. He doesn’t feel like he’s allowed to do anything his own way, so he just doesn’t. He’d rather be lazy than go after dreams he may imagine. He knows he’s capable of so much, but Dame puts a damper on his thoughts. Rip is a lazy, restrained person with an unfortunate situation involving a controlling wife.
Kristin, I couldn't agree more with the way you used DETAILS to describe how details enhance a story. It's true for me when I read a story. I like to be involved so much that I can't put the book down. There are some books I've had to read and that I'm currently reading that I can't pick up anymore since I find them to be really boring. I love a good book, but they're often hard to find.
ReplyDeleteScott, I agree with you in that American Romanticism is shown through the story. The description of the mountains and of the village brings about a feeling of beauty and the sereneness of life there. Not only can the reader put themselves into the description, but also into the story. I also agree with the fact that Rip's connectedness with those in his village is brought out especially when he wakes up and doesn't recognize anyone.
Detail is the separate parts of a whole. Detail can make a picture or story more appealing or realistic. Washington Irving uses detail heavily in his writing. My two favorite scenes he describes are the Kaatskill (Catskill) mountains and the amphitheater with the strange flagon and ninepins party.
ReplyDeleteThe mountains are so captivating to me because of their familiarity with the natural world and mystical characteristics of the supernatural. The natural part creates a basis for us to relate to what the writer is talking about. The colonists at the time had nothing but mountains and trees to look at, similar to us out here in the woods. We can see what he’s trying to explain. Then there’s the supernatural. It is unfamiliar, but we wish it weren’t. It gives us a chance to experience something we’ve never felt before, to escape to another world. It is captivating and filled with an enticing promise to the unknown. Irving sees this importance and need for the recognizable in his unrecognizable reality.
The characters in the amphitheater are also alluring to me because of my childhood. Like many of the colonist I didn’t grow up with your typical Cinderella or Snow White fairytales. I was told that you are to be cautious when regarding the mystical lest you get trapped or lose something of importance to them. That they aren’t the happy little cartoons you see on television, but haunting yet entrancing creatures. In the description of those present at the party I couldn’t help but laugh for poor Rip and the fate he was sure to face for his actions. You never steal from those of the fae (Old World name for the fairy realm). For those people of the time who still remembered the old ways I am sure this would have stuck out. I believe that Irving is saying that Rip is careful of situations by his paying attention to detail. He is always weary of a person’s mood and capabilities, as he proves with his wife, Dame Van Winkle, and his friend, Nicholaus Vedder. Also, Rip views the world in a way that he puts others before himself. This leads to the way he interacts with it. He helps people with their problems before he thinks of his own. This is shown in his helping the man with the flagon. He had just argued with his wife, retreated to the woods, and was going to return home. When he heard and later saw the man in aid. After that the thoughts of his wife and family were gone and what really mattered was helping the man. He puts others before himself, aside from his few moments of leisure (hunting, fishing, and drinking the flagon).
Laira, I agree with what you said about certain descriptions or situations being repeated over and over in a book killing it. In An American Tragedy, (*Spoiler Alert*) when Clyde schemes to kill a certain girl (I’m not going to tell you) he thinks about it so frequently that you almost want him to kill her so that he’ll stop thinking about it (which doesn’t help, he just thinks about her death). The constant repetition doesn’t make you want to read more; it makes you want them to get to the point. On the other hand I don’t feel the same way about Rip Van Winkle. I feel that he is putting multiple characteristics of the place into the story so that you and understand the full dimensions of the mountains’ meaning. Your remark about Of Mice and Men is a good relation to this situation though. The way they bring red into the story was a great use of foreshadowing.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I prefer fiction to nonfiction too.
Kristy your blog was a great way to summarize the importance of the mountains in the book. Your right, I had to read the description three times before I was able to understand it all. Also with Dame Van Winkle, imagine if she weren’t there. We would probably all think Rip was a lazy good for nothing, but because of his wife’s feels of him in that way and everyone dislikes her, we don’t. We don’t want to be paralleled to her so we refuse to think like her. It is because of her that we feel the way we do about him. When one thinks about it, he really doesn’t belong to this world in the normal approach. I loved what you said about, “His deep, long sleep represents how low the physical world’s importance is in Rip’s life.” Truly this is a rather sad story for the life of Rip.
The story Rip Van Winkle is certainly an interesting one. Washington Irving is a fantastic author who knows how to use detail to paint a picture for the reader to see. Very early on in the story, Irving describes the Katskull Mountains to great extent. This helps us identify that the mountains will be significant at a later point in the story. Irving using the writing tool of foreshadowing that many others use. The details are extremely important. They allow the reader to enjoy the story, instead of straight facts being presented. For instance, by saying “The snow was white.” We are subjected to a boring typical fact, whereas by saying “The newly laid fluffy snow was dazzling white” We get the full impression as to how white the snow really was. The description makes the story worth it, without the story is bland and uninteresting. Writers must be careful not to stray from the point of interest. They do not want to talk themselves into a circle or even confuse the reader with forced detail that is unnecessary and overkill. In Rip Van Winkle, Rip uses the beauty of nature fully. He shows how everything is subjected to nature in the end, such as his house that has been withering away without a caretaker. This is also symbolic of his own body creaking as he walks when he is older. Rip shows some amazing characteristics early on. He is helpful and father-like to other villagers. He is always willing to give a helping hand on anything that is not his own work. Charterers are more important than description of a place in my opinion. Places do not feel. Without emotion a story is not worth the time of day. Well Rip did not have a work ethic he did display his love for the mountains and all the nature that is involved; which makes the story truly Romanticism.
ReplyDeleteKristin,
I found that your beginning of how important it is to include details in a story is very true. Without details, the story makes us all want to go to sleep. I absolutely loved your line “Descriptions let us see them as a real person, rather than a fictional character”, to me when you don’t describe the person or people involve in the story you simple don’t care about them. It makes the story dry and we feel as though “Oh he died, so what?” Irving cared about his characters and gave them all personalities and qualities. His description made Rip Van Winkle interesting.
Laira,
Oh Laira, your points are fantastic overall. When Irving describes a character it means something, he did not just give someone a mustache because he did not want any one with mustaches to be offended that was none in the story. Writers write what they know. I cannot write a story about the troubles of being famous when I live in little Saint Marys. When a writer describes a character, they must picture them, and then use words to give you the same picture. I also get very frustrated when a book is made into a movie and the characters are wrong. I agree that fantasy is better than fact and this is because of the details that allow us to imagine, a characteristic found in Romanticism.
My dearest Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI agree. We need details because a lot of times we can't picture certain things because we have not exsperianced them or don't know what they are. I couldn't write a story describing life on a sail boat because I don' know anything about it. I agree how he said we can see through the characters eyes.
My dearest Kristin.
I agree whith you on two levels. If we do not become on a personal level with the character, we will not get the same effect. If the character is sad we should feel and go through the emotions. The second is that I agree with how he has such a love for nature but if he has such a love why doesn't he show appreciation with more than just words. His work eithic on his own farm is very poor, he should appreciate the nature around him.
When a writer greatly details the nature in a scene, it makes the story more personal and interests the reader. When a reader feels like they are actually part of the story, they are more inclined to keep reading. When more senses are used, other than sight in the description of nature or characters the imagination has more to work with. The reader can picture the story more first hand as if they are there.
ReplyDeleteIn this story, the nature is described in great detail especially the mountains in which the main events of the story took place. The mountains are described in a way that makes them seem majestic and mighty. They are loved and appreciated by all its residents. The way nature is described shows that Rip Van Winkle has a great respect for it. He notices all of the small things and sees the true natural beauty of the world. He is not caught up in the rush of everyday life. He takes the time to take note of simple details.
When a character’s personality, attire, and overall mannerisms are described when the person is introduced into the story, it helps the reader to feel what the protagonist feels for these characters. The writer does not have to come right out and say that a character is arrogant, sketchy, or trustworthy. Describing the aura of a character allows the reader to interpret the overall character traits on their own.
Rip’s tendency to detail things shows that he takes the time to observe the beauty of nature. One of the characteristics of Romanticism is natural, unspoiled beauty. The nature in this story is an example of this. The natural beauty of this writing makes it fit perfectly into the period of Romanticism. Rip notices the small details of nature and has a curious mind. This causes me to interpret Rip as an optimistic person. He sees the beauty in nature and describes it as a good thing. Even with the men in the woods, he saw that they were strange but he helped them just the same and never thought ill of them.
Rip sees the world as a beautiful place. He sees everything in nature as good and worthwhile. He also treats the people of the village in this manner. He goes out of his way to help others in any way that he can. When Rip is on the mountain he sees two scenes each very different. These scenes are much like his life. On one side of the mountains through the trees he looked down on the river, a very majestic sight, this represents the people in his village. He holds them in high esteem. He helps them as often as he can without a second thought. The feeling of helping them is one of self-worth and content, much like the feeling of looking at the magnificent lower country. On the other side of the mountain is a wild, lonely mountain glen. The sun barely touches this ravine. This signifies his own farm. He never does his own work or tends to his responsibilities. His farm and wife are like this mountain glen. Unkempt and in a way neglected. Just as the rays of sun neglect this lonely cavern.
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI agree that the use of details in this story is fantastic in helping the reader imagine the scene in their head. The foreshadowing of the mountains is also a good point. The way Irving describes the mountains as mystical and as a part of the everyday lives of the vilagers lets the readers guess that they will play a big part in this story.
Laira,
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you're saying. Too much detail makes a story drag on. Sometimes there is not enough action in the writing to hold a readers interest. When a story is fiction it allows the writer, as well as the reader, to be more creative. The writer can write things on the paper straight from their imagination with no limitation to things that we already know.
Good details are an important part of any story. They are what allow us to imagine the story in our minds, and help bring it to life. Without them, reading would be rather dull and boring. Washington Irving does an excellent job of providing us with detail in his story “Rip Van Winkle.”
ReplyDeleteOne way he does this is in his description of the setting of the story. Even without the pictures provided in the book, you can easily picture what the setting looks like in your mind. He uses a lot of figurative language in to magnify the imagery used. The detailed description of the settling also has somewhat of a foreshadowing effect, especially in the description of the mountains, because it hints that that particular setting will play a large role later in the story. Irving also provides vivid description of the characters in the story. We know very much about Rip’s personality, behavior, and how other characters feel about him very early in the story. His description of Rip’s wife not only provides us with her personality, but also the tension between the couple because of the negative connotation being used in her description.
Nature is important in this story because it is part of what makes it a romantic work. Romantics often used exotic outdoors, such as the mountains, as the setting of their stories to take readers away from the busy lives of cites. Irving also does this by having Rip venture into the mountains to get away from his wife at home. Nature was also used in American Romanticism to impress Romantics in Europe who thought romantics were unsophisticated. Nature is also important to the story because though it Irving shows part of Rip’s calm and down to earth attitude.
Laira, I really like what you said about some stories having too much detail. I think that detail is important because it really is what makes a story, but too much detail with not enough action makes a book dull to read. There are other ways for authors to inform us of certain details without going on and one about it. I also completely agree about movies ruining the images we have in our head about characters in books. I don’t expect a perfect match to how I picture them, but in some movies you have to wondering if they even read the description of the character when they were casted!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I also enjoyed the depth that is provided in the description of characters. Sometimes when people write they focus too much on appearance and not enough about everything else. Appearance is important, as it does account for a lot of our image of the character, but other details are really what make the character. However, I disagree with what you said about Rip not seeing problems in the world and in his life. He is definitely very laid back, but I found him to be almost negative when it came to problems in his life, especially when it came to his wife.
Washington Irving is one of the most colorful authors that I have ever had the opportunity to read. I remember reading Rip Van Winkle as a little kid in elementary school and I thought it was an excellent story, though now as I read it paying a little more attention to detail the story explodes with descriptions of places and people. Some people say that the key to being a great author is the ability to turn the pages of a book into a canvas and to use their words to paint pictures of the scene in your head. Irving may have mastered this artistic ability better than anybody.
ReplyDeleteIrving's reliance on nature is important because it puts you right there with Rip Van Winkle. Irvings vibrant and colorful descriptions make you feel like you are walking along side the characters, smelling the same smells, and looking at the same views. Some writers will say that their story is taking place in "A forest at night," but Irving would use words and phrases that make you feel as if you are sitting in the same situation as he is portraying in the story. These descriptions also hint to the fact that Rip enjoys the nature that he lives in. As Rip is walking through the woods Irving leads us to believe that he observes everything around him with open eyes, never missing the slightest detail. Irving makes it clear that the troubled old man finds great solitude in the peace and quiet of the earthly world around him.
Even more colorful than the descriptions of story's nature, may be the desctriptions of the story's characters. Irving did not run out of words to use as he explained each and every character Rip encountered on his interesting journey. One part of the story that really caught my attention was Irving's description of the man who voiced his opions with the agression of the smoking of his pipe. As I read it was impossible for me not to vision a little old man angerly puffing smoke from his pipe in disgust, and this is exactly what you look for in a story. The pictures Irving paints in you head enhances the story greatly and makes it enjoyable to read. This once again tells me that Irving wants us to view Rip as a very observant man. Just like he was when he first saw the men playing nine pins in the woods, Rip looked the men up and down and analyzed just about everything about them. From their expressions to their clothes, Rip picked up on everything. After you read one of Irving's stories you think of it as an experience, or something that you actualy witnessed because his descriptions are more vivid that the usual run of the mill author.
Laira,
ReplyDeleteI was suprised to see that your blog did not conform to the theme of all the others, saying that all of Irving's descriptions made for a great story. Your blog saying that sometimes descriptions can go a little to far made me think of some stories I have read in the past that slowly changed from descriptive to repetitive. Sometimes an author tries to make you view a place or a character in the exact same way that he invisioned it as he did when he was writing. A good descritption in my eyes points out the key details of the character that make him or her who he or she is, but also lets the reader's mind create its own little version of the character. Reading isn't fun when the author forces the image of the character on you with too much detail, or detail that becomes repetitive.
Linnea,
I thought your idea that the extensive descriptions gives the story a touch of credibility was right on. I realized that this story was so fictional that it was almost outlandish, though this being true, I didn't question the reality of the little elves as I was reading. Irving's descriptions were so realistic that I did not even realize how ridiculous the experience was. This is truely a magic touch on Irving's writing.
Details were obviously important to Washington Irving in all of his writings. He associated this with his deep love of the natural world around him. These two main topics together created and stressed the theme of American Romanticism. It also implemented Irving as one of the greatest Romantic authors America has seen. During this time of immense change, he was a pioneer and influenced future geniuses of literature. Exemplified in 'Rip Van Winkle' this deep understanding of the details of characters puts the reader inside of the story. This nuance led the way of the Romantic expression period. Simple ideas such as Dame Van Winkle's controlling of her husband was not seen among stories of earlier times. Wolf's hair standing up after they hear the distant name calling leads us to further understand what was occurring. Possibly, an eerie or ominous fear could have overwhelmed us which was what the Romatics were all about. We, the readers, experience such as Rip would experience. When he was returning after his deep sleep, we feel his wistful memories.
ReplyDeleteNature seems to be important to Van Winkle. He is a man of the woods and relates it to the reader in his own experiences. It appears to us that he uses description as a portal into his deeper interpretation. Possibly so we can think as he thought, feel and he felt. This image was momentous for Irving as a writer. It declared Romanticism as the new way to write, to express their feelings more clearly.
The protagonist's actions as a person are influenced by his thoughts of the world. He is very easy going and one could go so far as to say lazy. This was not necessarily bad but Dame Van Winkle thought so! His experience in general showed him to appreciate the smaller, finer things in life. "Value what is around you now, it may not be there tomorrow."
Mitchell,
ReplyDeleteIt's always very interesting to hear other people's childhood experiences on topics such as this. I find it substantially 'cool' that you read this story as a youngster and then read it again as a smarter, more mature young adult and received the almost similar reactions from it. I'm sure your more mature opinion was more refined and more in depth but the point still remains. This shows, in my opinion, that Irving's stress on details and his success with this. His masterful writing and beautifully refined details makes for a wondrous story for all.
Linnea,
I found your thoughts on details very agreeable. The vast description of people and places put us, the reader, into the story. We felt what was going on. We felt Van Winkle's fear, apprehension, frustration, and curiosity such as if it was ours. I found this to be truly special. His fear when he returned to the village after his deep sleep hit me as the way I would feel after entering a new scenario. If we can relate to what he is saying then Irving's Romantic feelings were successful. I shall use this story and plot in the future. If it is possible to relate and use the text then it touches me deep down inside as the reader.
Rip VanWinkle is an interesting story with a curious attention to detail. It fits the bill of early American Romanticism quite well. It has an almost mystical effect in it with regards to the sleeping for twenty years but relies heavily on the nature of the area and it's beauty. It is apparent that much occurs in both pieces of Romanticism in this story.
ReplyDeleteAlmost immediately, there is a wide description of the environment. The carefully detailed descriptions give a good picture of what exactly is going on. As if accidental, it instills a feeling of beauty in the surroundings and a peacefulness. The use of this extremely critical in regards to further use in the story for relating the passing of time.
Rip's careful respect for the environment shows how important it is, not just at that time or in that area but in every place at every time imaginable. This is a good point that many writers of the time liked to stress.
Rip is also extremely attentive to details of the other characters in the tale, though. He watches them carefully and can identify all of their common attributes. Upon meeting the man in the woods, he immediately notices all the peculiarities that he has. Then he notices the almost menacing possessions of the other small men even though they are not apparent.
This gives the feeling that while Rip is lazy, he knows more than he let's on. He notices the smallest details and can deduce certain things from them. It is extremely impressive for a man of his upbringing and stature.
All of this combined gives the general feeling of knowing what is really going on to the reader. It is almost respectable, the way that Irving carefully plans out everything to give a wide picture of everything that is going on. Even without us knowing it, we are given tiny details that are especially critical to the story while it remains in context. Washington Irving's story is a work of art that uses clues in the story to tie everything together but also give a general picture as one goes along. It is an admirable story.
Mitchell, I think your comparison is really ironic. I also remember Rip VanWinkle as being a part of my childhood. Looking back, I find that it means much more to me now. I realize how important missing twenty years of ones life would be. I really thought nothing of it when I was small but now the significance is obvious. Irving puts his story in a such a way that both children and adults get something out of the story.
ReplyDeleteRyan, by saying that Irving's use of nature was a new piece of romanticism is a very astute observation. This was certainly never seen before in such a way. Irving gave us a milestone with his writing that we can all appreciate. He crossed boundaries and made a new type of story that hadn't been seen at all before his time but is now a huge component of our literature.