"Rip Van Winkle" by Washington Irving

“Rip Van Winkle” is a story based on German folk tales that Washington Irving learned about during his years of reading and traveling throughout Europe. This short story is based in the time period between the 1760's and the 1770's. Rip Van Winkle deals with the humorous relationship between a lazy husband and an irritable wife. Van Winkle is also faced with political issues because of the changing times during the Revolutionary Period of the United States of America.

Rip Van Winkle is a good-natured man who is obedient to all of his neighbors. The whole community likes Van Winkle, and the dogs in the neighborhood would not bark at him. He plays with the children in the town, and he teaches the children many different things. The only error in Rip Van Winkle’s character is his lazy attitude toward the important aspects of his life at home. He believes that there was no point in caring for his farm, and his fences were always breaking. Van Winkle’s wife was a mean woman who did not have very much patience with Rip. Rip begins to stray away from the house more and more as the tensions of his marriage tighten. The only way Van Winkle is able to find peace from his termagant wife and the laboring on his farm is to take his gun into the woods.

One day, while Rip is trying to find relief from his wife, he and his dog Wolf make their way into the highest parts of the Kaatskill Mountains. After Rip and Wolf enter the high parts of the Mountains, he lays down on a grassy spot where he can see the Hudson River. After lying on the grass for some time and Van Winkle is about to leave the mountain, he hears his name being called. He turns and sees a small old man, who happened to be on his way to an amphitheater on the mountain. Rip decides to go to the amphitheater with the man. The two men, together, make their way to the amphitheater where there is group of men drinking and playing ninepins. Van Winkle, a thirsty man, drinks liquor from the flagons. He does not stop drinking the liquor until he falls into a deep sleep.

When Van Winkle wakes from his deep sleep, he finds himself on the same green knoll where he first saw the old man. Rip notices that it is morning and tries to think of an excuse to tell his wife. First, before going home, he decides to look for his gun and dog. Rip is unsuccessful in doing so and finding the amphitheater where he had been the day before. Van Winkle makes his way back to the neighborhood where he lived, and sadly, he comes upon his dog who has completely forgotten Rip. Rip Van Winkle sees many changes in the neighborhood where he lives, and does not understand what has happened. Rip is almost taken out of the city for his political views, but he assures the people he means no harm. Van Winkle begins to name the names of people he knew only to find that they are either dead or away. Rip finally asks the name “Rip Van Winkle.” To his surprise people begin to talk about the name. Van Winkle finds his daughter who had a son whose name is Rip. Rip Van Winkle explains to his daughter that he is her father and tells his daughter what had happened to him.

I found the short story “Rip Van Winkle” a very enjoyable read and full of surprises. I like how the story shows the changing times in the United States and the new political mindset of the individuals. Rip Van Winkle is looking for answers to what has happened to him, but he is struggling because there have been so many changes since he left his home twenty years before. This story was full of excitement and lessons that one can learn from. I agree with Rip that one should be part of the community, but his first obligation is to his family. Rip did not find his family life as interesting so he shelters himself from his wife and family, and he looked toward hunting and the neighborhood as a way out. I think that everyone should read this story and sink their minds into the exciting life and changing times revolving around Rip Van Winkle.