The Mutability of Literature

E10476

"The Mutability of Literature" is a reflective essay by Washington Irving, presented as part of his Sketch Book, that meditates wryly on the transience of books and literary fame.


Statements (49)
Predicate Object
instanceOf essay
literary work
author Washington Irving
authorNationality American
collection The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.
discusses changing critical standards
fate of books over time
obsolescence of literary works
firstPublicationAuthorName Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.
firstPublishedAsPartOf The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.
focusesOn historical authors
libraries and books
form prose
genre literary criticism
reflective essay
hasPerspective ironic view of literary immortality
hasSubject fame
literature
memory
time
influencedBy British literary tradition
language English
literaryMovement American Romanticism
literaryPeriod early 19th century American literature
medium print
narrativeVoice first person
narrator Geoffrey Crayon
originalPublicationCountry United States
partOfAuthorReputation major prose work by Washington Irving
publicationCentury 19th century
reflectsOn changing readerships
decay of physical books
legacy of writers
setting Westminster Abbey
settingCity London
settingCountry England
studiedIn American literature courses
courses on Romanticism
courses on literary criticism and theory
theme change in literary taste
ephemerality of reputation
impermanence of literary fame
mortality of authors
relationship between authors and readers
transience of books
tone humorous
meditative
wry
workInSeries The Sketch Book essays

Referenced by (1)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.
containsWork

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