Rip Van Winkle

A Confused National Identity

Nature

“Whoever has made a voyage up the Hudson, must remember the Kaatskill

mountains…are seen away to the west of the river, swelling up to a nobel height and

lording it over the surrounding country”

Roots

“….(houses) built of small yellow bricks brought from Holland. It was in that same village, and in one of these very houses….”

Identity• America is a blank slate.

• Does not stand for anything yet except maybe rebellion (but that means different things to different people)

• Age• Old people are old and already comfortable with their

identities• Young are too young.• The people caught in the middle – exemplified by Rip – really

have no idea what to do. • Confusion caused by change of authority.

• Monarchial society to Democratic Society• Literally: like waking up one day and realizing your country is

not governed by the same people

Feminist Perspective

• Women do the work• Men sit around and talk• Rip’s evasion of his wife is

considered a “triumph”• Dame Van Winkler

doesn’t have a name– Considered “a termagant”

– violent, brawling woman

• Ultimately, women take care of the men

Fairytale

• Told like a fairy-tale• Magic• Dwarves• Fantasy elements• People don’t kill him

when he pledges his loyalty to King George

• Romantic Elements