Rip Van Winkle American Dream Analysis

“Rip Van Winkle” was an iconic short story that was written by Washington Irving, in June, 1818. It was so well-known that almost every child in the United States has read it or heard about it once in their lifetime. Irving creates a simple-minded and easygoing character named Rip Van Winkle. He was cherished by the community, but his wife henpecks him day and night because of his carefree attitude. However, Irving’s illustration of Rip does not encompass the true reality of the “American Dream”. The real “American Dream” was based on manual working labor, the pursuit of happiness, opportunity to achieve success, and wealth. The principles of the “American Dream” were developed quite early in the 17th century. By definition the American …show more content…
Rip’s wife was constantly upset and nagged him about the ruin he brought on his family. Notwithstanding that he was happy, his family was despondent. Rip’s family was not able to experience their ‘Pursuit of Happiness’ because of his actions. They were always in constant struggle trying to support two children with a run-down farm and few crops to gather. This leads to another key element of the “American Dream”, which is being able to provide for one’s children so that they may one day have their own dream. Rip did not teach his children anything they could benefit from when they got older, “His son Rip, an urchin begotten in his own likeness, promised to inherit the habits, with the old clothes of his father” (Irving 473). It was important for parents to focus on their children’s well-being. Not only for their children’s sake, but for the sake of the community they live in. When Rip’s son grows up, he will not know how to properly take care of his family or farm. He will allegedly follow in his father’s footsteps and cause his family ruin. It could potentially cause all of Rips future generations of grandsons to become involved in the same …show more content…
When Rip went into the woods and fell asleep, he missed out on quite a few important events during his slumber. When Rip returned home, he discovered a great deal about his village had changed. He also realized that his wife had passed and was no longer there to henpeck him. He was somewhat alleviated by the news and untroubled with finally being able to live his laid-back lifestyle. Irving states the Rip, “Having nothing to do at home, and being arrived at that happy age when a man can do nothing with impunity, he took his place once more on the bench, at the inn door, and was reverenced as one of the patriarchs of the village, and a chronical of the old times “before the war”” (481). The war Irving was referring to was the Revolutionary War, which took place in 1775 and lasted until 1783. As with any war there is an abundance of opportunities to help serve one’s country. This is yet another example of Rip not living the American Dream of becoming successful. If Rip wasn’t sleeping for so long, he could have found ways to become successful during the war times. The possibilities could have been endless for