AMERICAN IMPERIAL DREAMS IN WASHINGTON IRVING�S SELECTED STORIES OF THE SKETCH BOOK OF GEOFREY CRAYON

This research intends to untangle the particular issues related to nineteen century U.S imperialism in Washington Irving�s selected Stories of The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. These stories are cultural responses of nineteen century U.S internal imperialism which were depicted by the author in Romantic style of literature. This research employs Post-National American Studies approach to examine U.S internal imperialism which still becomes a denied issue by U.S public. In addition, this research also utilizes Edward Said�s political critic of text to uncover U.S imperial tendencies portrayed in these stories. This research is library research where the data are derived from books, articles, journals, magazines and The Sketch Book as the literary work. The Sketch Book is the reflection of nineteen century agrarian society in U.S. Agrarian principles are the opposition of Industrial capitalism as well as racial. Based on the analysis, The Sketch Book demonstrates the tendency to preserve white superiority which exist already since the era of European colonialism. It also presents U.S frontier experiences encouraged by agrarian principles. The conflict between the whites and Indians are inevitable due to the White penetration to the Indian territory. The domination of the Whites in the continent is presented through cultural representation (e.g, the Indians are savage). These stories overall contribute to justify U.S imperial dreams at home in nineteen century, the dreams to disseminate economic, political and cultural influence from eastern coast to the pacific, which is frequently denied by the U.S