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Content: The American Identity
The American Identity
Rip Van Winkle, by Washington Irving, is symbolic of the European sentiment
towards the new society in America and establishes an identity before and after
the American Revolution. Rip Van Winkle's character depicts the society of
America as seen by England, whereas the England portrayed by his wife, Dame Van
Winkle. The townspeople represent American society at large and how it changed
with the realization of becoming an independent country. Rip Van Winkle was a "a
kind neighbor, and an obedient hen-pecked husband". All the good wives of the
village liked him because he was willing help at any time. " In a word Rip was
ready to attend to anybody's business but his own; but as to doing family duty,
and keeping his farm in order, he found it impossible." Seeing that Rip Van
Winkle's family was deteriorating while the people of the town were profiting
from his rebellion against the authority and possible needs of his family shows
that the Crown was losing respect while America was gaining the loyalty of its
own people. Rip's idleness could be perceived as the British perception that
America was unwilling to focus on their duties as servants of the Crown. In
representing the Crown, Dame Van Winkle would nag him to death over his duties so
much that he would seek refuge from these tirades by going to town to sit in
front of the tavern and remain idle with his friends.