Title: Character Analysis in Rip Van Winkle - Owl Eyes
Headings: Character Analysis
in
Rip Van Winkle

Character Analysis in Rip Van Winkle
Character Analysis Examples in Rip Van Winkle:
Rip Van Winkle

Content: As to Rip’s son and heir, who was the ditto of himself, seen leaning against the tree, he was employed to work on the farm; but evinced an hereditary disposition to attend to any thing else but his business...." See in text (Rip Van Winkle)
These familial dynamics should feel familiar to Rip, as they duplicate the gender roles displayed in his own marriage. Rip’s daughter keeps a neat home, and his son is uninterested in profitable work. Unlike her mother, though, Judith appears to have settled down with a husband well-suited to structured commercial work. Perhaps the village is no longer as widely supportive of Rip’s preferred lifestyle, or perhaps Dame Van Winkle’s demands were not as unreasonable as they seemed. Caitlin, Owl Eyes Staff
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"what excuse shall I make to Dame Van Winkle?..." See in text (Rip Van Winkle)
It is notable that Rip’s first thought upon awakening is an expression of fear of his wife. This can be understood to be a fear of leaving the freedom of the forest for the demands of village commercialism. Rip has essentially woken up after a great party and is dreading his return to work. Caitlin, Owl Eyes Staff
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"There was a drop of comfort, at least, in this intelligence...." See in text (Rip Van Winkle)
The villagers are celebrating the freedom to elect their leaders, and Rip is discovering a freedom of a different sort.