Rip Van Winkle

Words: 373
Pages: 2

Literary nationalism can be simply defined as “interest in producing identifiably American works, and celebrating those works.” (Baym) This movement began in America in the 1820’s after the victory in the War of 1812 with England. Writers began to compose stories that exemplified not only the American landscape but also the American citizen and their devotion to the newly established country. These are qualities that can be seen in Washington Irving’s short story, “Rip Van Winkle.”
“Rip Van Winkle” is an American folklore in which it’s main character struggles to comprehend the changes that have occurred in the newly developing America. Rip is a member of an American colony who falls into a “deep sleep” in the woods and essentially sleeps for