Washington Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle” is a national myth because it incorporates larger than life characters, set in a past time, and magic and mayhem which creates a comical appeal to the story which gives readers a sense of joy and the ability to better connect with the characters. While “Rip Van Winkle” can be kind of difficult to follow along with, it is a true national myth. That said, shall we move into the actual assignment?
When I say these “larger than life characters” I mean the characters are made out to be “bigger” than what they actually are. Rip Van Winkle was the type of person who did more for everyone else than he did for himself. He was mostly “controlled” by women, as you can see on page 62 you can read about how Van Winkle is “a simple, good natured man: he was moreover a kind of neighbor, and an obedient, henpecked husband.” To …show more content…
We can see this aspect because, Rip Wan Winkle helped a Dwarf carry Whisky and Wine up a rugged mountain only to drink too much and fall into a deep sleep for twenty years, only to wake up and find that everything has changed. His daughter is grown up and has children of her own (as seen on page 76). His wife is dead and gone, most of his old friends died in the war. As I stated before, he was out cold for 20 years and when he awoke everything was different, his own dog didn’t remember him. This story contained so much magic in it, it was very entertaining towards the end.
In brief, the story of “Rip Van Winkle” by Washington Irving, is one we will never forget. It had characters that seemed to be G-d like in a sense, greater than life, and so much more. It was written in a time we all know about but contains not as much historical context as to bore the reader. In this story there was plenty of magic and madness to go around. The writing was enjoyable to the reader and will surely never be forgotten, not in this generation, not in the
When I say these “larger than life characters” I mean the characters are made out to be “bigger” than what they actually are. Rip Van Winkle was the type of person who did more for everyone else than he did for himself. He was mostly “controlled” by women, as you can see on page 62 you can read about how Van Winkle is “a simple, good natured man: he was moreover a kind of neighbor, and an obedient, henpecked husband.” To …show more content…
We can see this aspect because, Rip Wan Winkle helped a Dwarf carry Whisky and Wine up a rugged mountain only to drink too much and fall into a deep sleep for twenty years, only to wake up and find that everything has changed. His daughter is grown up and has children of her own (as seen on page 76). His wife is dead and gone, most of his old friends died in the war. As I stated before, he was out cold for 20 years and when he awoke everything was different, his own dog didn’t remember him. This story contained so much magic in it, it was very entertaining towards the end.
In brief, the story of “Rip Van Winkle” by Washington Irving, is one we will never forget. It had characters that seemed to be G-d like in a sense, greater than life, and so much more. It was written in a time we all know about but contains not as much historical context as to bore the reader. In this story there was plenty of magic and madness to go around. The writing was enjoyable to the reader and will surely never be forgotten, not in this generation, not in the