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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 5 page analysis of the seventeenth century classic that mixes philosophical musings on nature with advice on how to catch fish. In the mid-seventeenth century, author Izaak Walton witnessed the English civil war with a rising sense of horror. A firm Royalist, Walton reported that the 'malice and madness' was 'scarce credible, but I saw it' (4). To provide himself and his friends with a 'recreative distraction' during this period of awful public turmoil, Walton composed The Compleat Angler, which was first published in 1653 (8). 'Angling' is, of course, the art of fishing, and in detailing his considerable knowledge on this subject, Walton offered his readers a pastoral retreat from the political pressures of the day. No additional sources cited.
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5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_90angler.rtf
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public turmoil, Walton composed The Compleat Angler, which was first published in 1653 (8). "Angling" is, of course, the art of fishing, and in detailing his considerable knowledge on this
subject, Walton offered his readers a pastoral retreat from the political pressures of the day. The overall tone of the book is light-hearted and entertaining. Numerous philosophical and political
observations are obviously meant to be taken in a half-jesting manner. The book starts out by introducing three sportsmen, the angler, plus a "lover of hawks," and a "lover of
hounds." They compare their sports and the elements involved in each as well as their love of the outdoors and their mutual disdain for those who dont appreciate the joys
of nature. Such men, are "serious and grave men, which we contemn and pity" (Walton 177). These are the men of business, and?undoubtedly?also the men responsible for the horrors
of the civil conflict. They are "money-getting men, men that spend all their time first in getting, and next in anxious care to keep it...men that are condemned to be
rich...we Anglers pity them perfectly" (Walton 177). Such subtle public commentary was ideal for the time because either side would naturally assume Walton was discussing the other. No one
would readily accuse him of slandering them because to do so would be admitting that the description of greed and avarice was accurate. Likewise, either side of the conflict
could lay claim to the virtues of angling. Walton waxes quite eloquently on the virtues that inherent to the art of angling and the men who appreciate this activity. He
states that anglers are similar to the "primitive Christians" who were "as most Anglers are" quiet men, and "followers of peace" (Walton 178). Such men certainly wouldnt sell their
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