Title: Rip Van Winkle Characters - eNotes.com
Headings: Rip Van Winkle Characters
Rip Van Winkle Characters
Characters
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Rip Van Winkle
Dame Van Winkle
Judith Cardenier
Rip Van Winkle, Jr.
The Stranger
Hendrick (Henry) Hudson
Nicholas Vedder
Derrick Van Bummel
Brom Dutcher
Peter Vanderdonk
The Self-Important Man
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Content: Rip often tries to escape her contentious nature by spending time with the men outside the inn. He also escapes her by going hunting and fishing. Dame Van Winkle is portrayed as a villain, deserving of blame. Yet, Dame Van Winkle is justified in her nagging, given that Rip won't work the farm or help with domestic matters. Rip leaves Dame Van Winkle alone to fend for the family. Dame Van Winkle is also called a “virago,” which is a domineering woman. However, the term “virago” may also refer to a warrior woman. This highlights how Dame Van Winkle fights throughout the story against her husband. She does so to help herself and her family. Dame Van Winkle is so domineering that even Rip’s dog, Wolf, is afraid of her.