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: The colonies are still under the rule of King George III. Rip is loved by many in his village. Dogs never bark at him, the children love him, and the women of the village find no fault with him. However, Rip neglects his farm, wife, and children. He is unable to grow food properly, and out of frustration and idleness he focuses his efforts on anything but his domestic life. His children are ragged and wild, and his wife, Dame Van Winkle, is constantly frustrated with him. Dame Van Winkle often nags him for his lack of effort. When Rip tires of the way his wife treats him, he tries to escape by lounging in front of the inn with the town’s other idle men. Rip's wife, however, follows Rip there, and goes on to nag not only Rip but all the idle men that sit in front of the inn. One day, Rip goes squirrel hunting in the Catskill mountains, bringing with him his dog and a gun.