1. Rip Van Winkle,” which was published in 1819, is set just before and a few years after the Revolutionary War of 1775–1783. The story is presented as a re-covered text, meaning that someone has found this account in the papers of a fake expert historian named Diedrich Knickerbocker. This technique is still used today in many supernatural and horror stories, including modern films such as Cloverfield (2008), Paranormal Activity (2007), and The Blair Witch Project (1999). What does the recovered text/found footage technique add to a story? Do you like this approach? Why or why not?
The recovered text technique makes the story more believable and original. If the story were perceived as Washington Irving’s, for instance, it would be taken merely as fiction. No one would believe that a man could stay asleep for twenty years, wake up, and think he only slept for one night. The original writer of the text, Diedrich Knickerbocker, had face-to-face conversations and experiences with the Dutch settlers. His account is even more believable as he had no intention of making these stories profitable. Personally, I like this kind of approach as the account is ‘raw’ and more believable.
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2. Give three adjectives to describe Rip Van Winkle in the beginning of the story. What has made him this way?
Rip Van Winkle is described as kind and good-natured, obedient and unmotivated or lazy. The one thing that has greatly affected the lifestyle, character, and nature of Rip Van Winkle is the constant nagging of his wife. He is belittled and finds no motivation to engage in any profitable labor to help his family. He is, however, good-natured and helpful to his neighbors, whom he feels, respect and appreciate him. He is, in turn, obliged to be kind and good towards everyone else except his wife, towards whom he is ‘obedient.’
3. Rip Van Winkle’s devoted dog is named “Wolf.” What’s interesting, or even ironic, about this dog’s name? How might the dog be symbolic of a deeper message?
Wolf is symbolical for a brave individual. However, ‘Wolf,’ the dog is as afraid of Dame Van Winkle just as much as Rip. This is ironic because one would expect a dog with such a name to be aggressive and exceedingly brave in all circumstances. The dog also showed signs of cowardice when Rip Van Winkle encountered the strange old man in the woods.
4. When Rip awakens from his 20–year nap and is still in the woods, what three things show us that a significant amount of time has passed?
Rip wakes up to find his a rusty rifle by his side and his dog, gone. He thinks someone might have stolen his gun and left behind a rusty old rifle there. He also imagines the dog may have strayed into the woods. He begins to move around and finds it extremely difficult to make any movements or carry out some of the activities he normally does easily. Also, his beard has exceedingly grown. All these changes show that a lot of time has passed by while Rip was asleep.
5. Several symbols of the newly created United States of America confuse Rip, who still thinks he’s under the rule of King George III when he walks back into town. Name two patriotic items that confuse Rip but would likely delight a reader of this story in 1819.
Rip is surprised to find the inn where he used to hang out disappeared, and a large house written ‘The Union House’ in its place. He is more surprised to see a picture that used to King George III’s replaced by that of George Washington. The flag of the United States, which also surprises Rip Van Winkle, sits on a tall pole. The picture of George Washington and the Union Flag, particular, are some of the most patriotic items of the nation.
6. How did Dame Van Winkle die? How is this consistent with what we know about her from earlier in the story, and what message is Irving delivering to the reader here?
Rip Van Winkle is informed by his daughter that his wife, Dame, broke a blood vessel while working at a peddler, which led to her death. Initially, Dame is said to be a hardworking wife to whom Rip leaves all the house responsibilities. She works overtime to keep the house tidy and looks for and puts food on the family table. She is frustrated by the fact that Rip does nothing profitable for the family.
7. This story is supposed to have a light-hearted tone and entertain the reader. Find and write down a line where Irving uses humor .
The story is full of humor, given the irony and the complexities that arise through Rip’s experiences and adventure. In the bid to make himself known, Rip explodes and informs the amused townspeople that he is native of the place and loyal subject of the King. He also adds, “God bless him!” At the time, he still has no idea that time has changed and that American is no longer a province of Great Britain. His remarks drive the people mad with anger.
8. The rocky relationship between Rip and Dame Van Winkle can be read as an allegory for America’s battle with Great Britain. Take another look at the opening paragraph that begins with the words, “Whoever has made a voyage up the Hudson...” Write down two elements from this paragraph that support the argument that this humorous domestic tale is actually symbolic of the larger events that led to the Revolutionary War.
The opening paragraph describes the Catskill Mountains, which symbolically represents America. It was a ‘branch’ of Great Britain, as the mountains, a branch of the great Appalachian family. America is to the West of the Atlantic Ocean and is known to change for the better as time goes by. Rip and Dame are symbolic of America and Great Britain. Rip fears his wife but respects her. When he finds out that she died, he actually feels happy, just in the way Americans rejoiced in their defeat of Great Britain.
