"Rip Van Winkle" can be read as an allegory of the American Revolutionary War. An allegory is a story in which the characters and events are symbols that stand for ideas about human life or for a political or historical situation. In the case of "Rip Van Winkle," the setting of the story serves as a commentary on the American colonies prior to the Revolutionary War. The main character falls into a drunken sleep and awakens 20 years later, after the war is over and the colonies have become the independent United States of America.
Prompt 1
Discuss the
character of Van Winkle (prior to falling asleep) as allegorically representing
Americans prior to the Revolutionary War. Examine the several paragraphs in
which Irving introduces the character of Rip Van Winkle. In what ways does
Van Winkle typify the pre-Revolutionary American identity? Remember that the
story is an allegory, and Van Winkle’s character is supposed to represent
Americans at the time of the American Revolution who chose to be complacent.
What details are given that support this characterization?
Prompt 2
Discuss the role of
the town and the town’s people (prior to Van Winkle falling asleep) in this
allegory. Examine the several paragraphs in which Irving first describes the
town and Van Winkle’s wife. In what ways do the people and establishments,
the character of community, and the lifestyles represent pre-Revolutionary
American thinking? Who is his wife supposed to represent? Give textual support.
Prompt 3
Discuss the allegorical significance of the town 20 years after Van Winkle falls
asleep. Examine the paragraphs of "Rip Van Winkle" that describes Rip's return
to the town after he
reawakens. Discuss the ways in which the town has changed:
atmosphere, commerce, lifestyles, and personalities. What statement about
the effects of the Revolutionary War and American independence is Irving making?
Prompt 4
Compare the way in
which Van Winkle's son, Rip, Jr., is characterized near the end of the story to
the way in which Rip Sr. is initially characterized in the story. Give
special attention to the way each is esteemed by other people in his community.
Form an argument as to what accounts for the difference in the town's levels of
respect. What role does Rip, Sr. assume in the new society that Rip, Jr.
cannot?
Prompt 5
Discuss the story as an example of American Romantic
Literature. Common attitudes and tendencies of this genre include 1. A distrust
of civilization 2. Nostalgia for the past 3. Concern for individual freedom 4.
Love for the beauty of the natural landscape 5. Interest in the supernatural.
Find lines from the story to support
each attitude or tendency.
Prompt 6
Discuss the character of Rip as an example of American Romantic
hero. Romantic heroes generally are 1. Childlike 2. Innocent 3. Distrustful of
women 4. Fond of nature. 5. In search of a higher truth. Find lines from the
story to describe each character trait.