From the very beginning, it is clear that “Rip Van Winkle” by Washington Irving is a story that was written with the American people in mind. Written at a time when America was in a constant state of change, and as its citizens were struggling to form their own identities, “Rip Van Winkle” speaks to the alienation many Americans felt during the late 1700s and early 1800s. Fresh off of the American Revolution, America was trying to form its own identity as a country free from English culture and crown. Irving’s main character, Rip Van Winkle, symbolizes the struggle of early America from pre-revolution to post revolution. Through telling stories, Rip Van Winkle is able to create a feeling of being at home in the new world by connecting the old
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In an article entitled “Theaters of the American Revolution,” the author states, “No account of the American Revolution tells more by saying less than the description of Rip Van Winkle’s return to his Catskill village” (Fuller 126). The article refers directly to the point after Rip awakens and explores the town that has greatly changed while he was sleeping. He walks over to the local tavern that he once remembers but notices a major difference:
He recognized on the sign, however, the ruby face of King George, under which he had smoked so many a peaceful pipe; but even this was singularly metamorphosed. The red coat was changed for one of blue and buff, a sword was held in the hand instead of a scepter, the head was decorated with a cocked hat, and underneath was printed in large characters, GENERAL WASHINGTON. (Irving 57)
This single piece from the story demonstrates how quickly the country shifted from colonial rule to democratic republic under Washington and how the tone of the country was completely different. This was all very strange and disorienting to Rip Van …show more content…
The only way for Rip to feel at home in the new world is for him to connect the stories of the past to the present. It is his way of completing his identity. Before his twenty year slumber and before the revolution, his stories were ones about mystical things that he told to children, now he is able to use his skills of storytelling to connect the new generation with the old. He felt loved in the neighborhood, but not at home until he began to tell his stories. He is that necessary link in the town that allows people to feel connected to the past and allows them to focus on the future. Just as for Americans in the new nation, Rip is an important figure that connects them to who they are. Although they were once under British rule and now have freedom under a new democracy, who Americans were before the war is not wiped
In an article entitled “Theaters of the American Revolution,” the author states, “No account of the American Revolution tells more by saying less than the description of Rip Van Winkle’s return to his Catskill village” (Fuller 126). The article refers directly to the point after Rip awakens and explores the town that has greatly changed while he was sleeping. He walks over to the local tavern that he once remembers but notices a major difference:
He recognized on the sign, however, the ruby face of King George, under which he had smoked so many a peaceful pipe; but even this was singularly metamorphosed. The red coat was changed for one of blue and buff, a sword was held in the hand instead of a scepter, the head was decorated with a cocked hat, and underneath was printed in large characters, GENERAL WASHINGTON. (Irving 57)
This single piece from the story demonstrates how quickly the country shifted from colonial rule to democratic republic under Washington and how the tone of the country was completely different. This was all very strange and disorienting to Rip Van …show more content…
The only way for Rip to feel at home in the new world is for him to connect the stories of the past to the present. It is his way of completing his identity. Before his twenty year slumber and before the revolution, his stories were ones about mystical things that he told to children, now he is able to use his skills of storytelling to connect the new generation with the old. He felt loved in the neighborhood, but not at home until he began to tell his stories. He is that necessary link in the town that allows people to feel connected to the past and allows them to focus on the future. Just as for Americans in the new nation, Rip is an important figure that connects them to who they are. Although they were once under British rule and now have freedom under a new democracy, who Americans were before the war is not wiped