Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

of part of American liberty and tradition, and paved the way for the deeper musings of Irving’s literary
successors.
The sentimental nature of Irving’s writings subjected him to accusations of an impoverished
intellect, but at their core, these writings reflect the principles that motivated him. One commentator
writes, “Irving’s faith in God and his love of humanity were very simple. I do not suppose he was much
disturbed by the deep problems.” As this response to Irving indicates, Irving’s emotionalism subjected him
to accusations of simplicity and frivolity, but this critique too quickly shrugs off the importance of Irving’s
faith in God and love of humanity as driving principles. In an essay on Irving, one scholar remarked, “His
chief guides were his tastes and affections, with which his principles of duty and religion, his love of
independence and his patriotism, were inwrought.” As this author indicates, Irving still possessed religion,
principles, a sense of duty, and a deep patriotism, but his thinking upon these subjects began with his feeling
about them. This sentimentality resulted from an innate tendency to respond to feelings over reason
combined with his participation in the Romantic tradition. Irving suffered from accusations of triviality
because his emotions often veiled his principles.
The nature of Irving’s writings resulted from his emotional personality, noted by others even in his
childhood. Characteristically Irving tended to rely on his emotions rather than his reason. For instance,
while in Europe, Irving managed to fill entire letters with sentimental griping about his foul mood and poor
tea. (Pierre Irving, Vol. 3, 46). On his trip west in 1832, Irving’s carelessness shocked fellow travelers
such as Captain Ellsworth: “I was surprised to find Mr. Irving opposed to any restriction and ridicule the
idea of taking thought for tomorrow.” (Ellsworth, 46). Irving’s relationship with his mother probably
influenced, his emotional outlook. Pierre Irving writes that Irving’s mother, to whom he was very close,
thought with her heart and, believed that the old and true America was passing away. (Pierre Irving, Vol. 2,
15). Irving seemed to have inherited these character traits which in turn seeped into his writing. Irving saw
his writing first and foremost as an appeal to the heart. Irving explained that he desired his writings to cheer
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