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: 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. Instead of spending time with his own children, he spends time with the village children, letting his own go ragged and wild. Dame Van Winkle is left on her own because of Rip’s idle ways and tendency to help others instead of himself and his family. Their conflict serves as a major catalyst in the story. Had Dame Van Winkle not nagged Rip as much, he may never have wandered into the woods to get away from her and find peace. Rip’s stroll into the mountains spurred his encounter with Henry Hudson and the crew of the Half Moon.