![]() ![]() Though not quite twenty years, his return certainly seemed prophetic: like Rip, he returned to a home which had transformed culturally, politically, socially, architecturally, geographically, and personally. It would take until “The Alhambra” – a popular anthology of fiction and essays – and the “Life of Columbus” – his first serious, scholarly work – before he allowed himself to return to America after having left seventeen years previously on the excuse of helping Peter’s business. ![]() By the time “The Sketch Book” made an international splash, he had accidentally employed his love of idleness and people watching to make himself a career. He denied opportunities to better his circumstances, eschewed marriage with vigor (only getting involved with girls who were far too young, too rich, or too tubercular to be a realistic nuptial threat), and spent over twenty years overseas, hoping to avoid his family’s interference, and delay his looming duty to grow up. Also like Rip, he was quick to help his neighbor (spending years working on his brother, Peter’s, failing business and eventually bankruptcy), but rejected his family’s suggestions for his personal advancement. Like Rip, he was averse to work, and seemingly allergic to responsibilities of all kinds. ![]() The motif of sleep is fitting for Irving – he often felt that he had himself slept through life. ![]()
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