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: Judith represents the changes in society that have taken place since Rip’s disappearance. This can be seen by her changed last name and current family situation. She married a helpful husband of French descent, which changes her names from Van Winkle to Cardenier. This shows how the town has not only changed in size and politics, but also in demographics. Judith’s life, so different from Rip's and her mother's, shows how things have changed. Rip's simple and idle lifestyle is being slowly forgotten. Rip Van Winkle, Jr.
Rip Van Winkle’s son, also named Rip Van Winkle, is almost an exact likeness of his father. He even has the same personality, exhibiting the same idleness that his father does. When Rip Van Winkle returns from his long absence and sees his son, he mistakes his son for himself. They look so alike that Rip feels confused enough to question his own existence and sanity.