Title: Rip Van Winkle Themes - eNotes.com
Headings: Rip Van Winkle Themes
Rip Van Winkle Themes
Themes
Tradition versus Modernity
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The Tribulations of Marriage
The Natural versus Supernatural
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Content: This layered portrait reveals the remnants of the past that the new country is based on, suggesting that the past, present, and future are inseparable parts of the same continuity. The Tribulations of Marriage
One of the central themes in “Rip Van Winkle” revolves around Rip’s turbulent relationship with his abrasive wife. Rip is an obedient, simple and good man who has to deal with his nagging wife. Irving purposely gives only Rip’s point of view. Rip's wife, Dame Van Winkle, has no dialogue, and readers are not given her side of the story. Although Rip eventually gets what he wishes for—freedom from his wife and the ability to be idle—his wife lives on and dies without him. Rip’s laziness and inability to care for his farm, children, and home highlight why Dame Van Winkle is so domineering. Although she is portrayed negatively, Dame Van Winkle appears to have had good reasons to nag Rip. Rip is always working for others. Instead of fixing his own broken fence, he fixes a neighbor's.