SYMHC Classics: Washington Irving

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The poem, first published anonymously in 1823, tells the story of a family's Christmas Eve encounter with St. Nicholas. It describes the preparations for St. Nicholas's arrival, the noise on the lawn, and the delivery of presents through the chimney. The poem has had a profound impact on American Christmas traditions and the popular image of Santa Claus. Despite its widespread attribution to Clement Clarke Moore, there is ongoing debate about whether Moore or Henry Livingston Jr. was the actual author.

The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. is a collection of essays and short stories that includes some of Irving's most famous works, such as 'Rip Van Winkle' and 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'. The book was published serially from 1819 to 1820 and marks Irving's first use of the pseudonym Geoffrey Crayon. The stories range from maudlin to picaresque and comical, and the collection is notable for its portrayal of both American and English life and landscapes. The book helped establish Irving's reputation as a writer and was among the first widely read works of American literature in Britain and Europe.

This book is a compilation of literary sketches written by Charles Dickens under the pseudonym 'Boz'. It was first published in two volumes in 1836 and later in a single volume in 1839. The sketches are divided into four sections: 'Our Parish', 'Scenes', 'Characters', and 'Tales', offering vivid portrayals of London's everyday life, highlighting themes such as poverty, bureaucracy, and community dynamics. The illustrations by George Cruikshank add to the vividness of Dickens' descriptions.

Mason Locke Weems's "The Life of George Washington" is a biography of the first president of the United States. It's best known for the famous anecdote about young George Washington chopping down a cherry tree and admitting his wrongdoing. While historically inaccurate, the story became a powerful symbol of honesty and integrity. The book was immensely popular and contributed to the creation of a national mythos around Washington. It shaped the image of Washington as a moral exemplar for generations of Americans. The book's enduring legacy lies in its impact on the American cultural imagination.

Jacqueline Goldfinger's adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol' is a family-friendly version that includes music, making it suitable for a wide range of audiences. This play retains the core themes and characters of the original while adding a musical element to enhance the storytelling and emotional impact.

Rip Van Winkle is a short story set in the years before and after the American Revolution. The story recounts the tale of a Dutch-American villager named Rip Van Winkle, who falls asleep in the Catskill Mountains and wakes up 20 years later to a very different world. Upon returning to his village, Rip discovers that his wife has passed away and that the American Revolution has taken place, transforming the political and social landscape. He struggles to adjust to this new reality, becoming a quaint figure of the past. The story explores themes of change, identity, and the impact of historical events on individual lives.