Title: Rip Van Winkle Summary and Analysis
Headings: Rip Van Winkle
Rip Van Winkle
Background of the Story
Contents
Historical Context
Overview
Rip Van Winkle Summary
Rip Van Winkle Characters Analysis
Geoffrey Crayon
Rip Van Winkle
Dame Van Winkle
Derrick Van Bummel
Nicholaus Vedder
Judith Gardenier
Rip Van Winkle, Jr.
Hendrick Hudson
Peter Vanderdonk
Themes in Rip Van Winkle
Freedom and Tyranny
Constancy and Change
History and Fiction
Volunteerism vs Work for Money
Active vs Passive Resistance
Labor vs Productivity
Rip Van Winkle Analysis
Narrative Style
Local History and Mythical Narrative
Self Identity
Overlapping of Time
Rip as an Anti-American
Negative evasiveness of Rip’s Wife
Rip as Negation of Traditional American Hero

Content: Rip is settled in that village. Rip Van Winkle is a friendly and tranquil fellow. He is the direct successor of the brave soldiers of Dutch genealogy, famous for his generosity and gentleness. He has only a flaw in him that he is unable to earn profits from any work. In fact, he can help others all day long without getting lazy at work. He is just unable to work at home. His other remarkable trait is that he is a submissive henpecked husband for his wife; Dame Van Winkle. She even rebukes him, follows him down to the village at which he only listens to her patiently. He is loved by all the villagers who side with him against disputes with his wife.