A bunch of posts (aka 2) in one- 12/13/08

1) "As to honest John Bull, I shake him heartily by the hand, assuring him that I love his jolly countenance, and, moreover, am lineally descended from him; in proof of which I allege my invincible predilection for roast beef and pudding."

2) "Far from this; I love the nation, as being a nation of right merry fellows, possessing the true secret of being happy; which is nothing more than thinking of nothing, talking about anything, and laughing at everything. I mean only to tune up those little thingimys, who represent nobody but themselves; who have no national trait about them but their language, and who hop about our town in swarms, like little toads after a shower."

3) "His conversation was to me a perpetual feast; I chuckled with inward pleasure at his whimsical mistakes and unaffected observations on men and manners, and I rolled each odd conceit 'like a sweet morsel under my tongue.' "

4) "I so far gained his confidence, that, at his departure, he presented me with a bundle of papers, containing, among other articles, several copies of letters, which he had written to his friends at Tripoli."

While reading the third letter of Salmagundi, I came across these passages. I think that, when read alone, they present a key problem Irving is trying to expose.
The first passage presents the conflict; the narrator has a negative opinion of the stereotypical person they are conversing with, yet they act happy to be around them. The colloquial and pleasing diction (heartily, jolly, invincible, etc.), camouflages the macrocosm that all people are too opinionated of people who are content with living a good life.
The second passage progresses the macrocosm of the problem; that society is empty and ignorant, while true problems are occurring. Again, the positive diction hides the negative conflict arising, because of society. The toad simile is a nature motif that is excessively brought up in this letter. Nature is a pure, beautiful thing in existence. By using this motif, Irving contrasts society to show that it appears to have a beautiful exterior, but corrupt interior.
The third passage is basically identical to the first one. The progression of societies fakeness is accelerated.
The fourth passage (which I am slightly taking out of context for the purpose of the explanation), indirectly answers the rhetorical question Irving is asking his readers. Although the narrator is still acting fake, he is rewarded with a possession. By not being real, the narrator gained respect and trust. Does he receive happiness, though? Does he receive pride for being a decent person? No. The narrator symbolizes societies problems with exposing their true colors and, potentially, being hurt. By not being ourselves, we will always be rewarded, but we will never be happy.

**This post is long, but it also makes up the one I missed last week.