The Life of Rip Van Winkle and American Mythology
Washington Irving wrote a short story “Rip Van Winkle” in the 1800s. That the story celebrates American mythology as it reflects on Americans values and ideas.
Rip Van Winkle lives in a village in the Kaatskills on a farm with his nagging wife and children. He's an easygoing man with a wife who criticizes him for things he said or things he does (65).
Rips dog wolf was as henpecked as his master the moment wolf entered the house his tail dropped or curled between his legs (65). Rip was like Nicholas Vedder Rip would sit by a tree with wolf but Nicholas would sit in his chair and move into the shade when needed (66). Rip Van heavily sigh when thoughts of encountering his wife (68)
Washington…show more content… Characters such as Dame Van Winkle and the antiquated Dutch man are memorable because it stays with the readers even when the book is closed. What is strange setting about the magical and mysterious Catskill Mountains is that Rip Van Winkle sleeps for 20 years under a tree, ghost like men offer Rip moonshine. After waking up from his nap he looked for his rifle but all he could find was an old firelock lying by him (71). When Rip went back to the village he noticed there were rows of houses and people he never seen before, the dogs barked at him as he walked passed, as he found his house he was waiting to hear the shrill voice of Dame Van Winkle but instead his house was decaying-the roof had fallen in, window shattered and the doors were off the hinges. Important national events such as the colonial victory of American Revolution and the heroism of George Washington. The Kaatskill Mountains had always been haunted by strange like beings (77). Rip thought “what excuse shall I make to Dame Van Winkle” (70). Rip Van Winkle withstands the test of time these characteristics broadcast a positive message about America, a place of freedom and
