Rip Van Winkle
Early American Literature
Early American literature encompasses the stories of a new land, capturing the experiences and aspirations of those who ventured to what would become the United States. Spanning roughly from the 1600s to the early 1800s, this diverse body of writing includes exploration accounts, religious texts, political writings, and early poetry and fiction.
Exploration accounts offer vivid travelogues of the land, its native inhabitants, and the challenges faced by early settlers. Religious texts reflect the deep-seated faith of many colonists, revealing their aspirations to build a godly society. As the colonies matured and yearned for independence, political writings emerged as powerful tools, sparking revolutionary fervor through fiery speeches, pamphlets, and declarations. Though less common, early poetry and fiction also found their footing, exploring themes of identity and the burgeoning American spirit.
Early American literature and early English literature, while sharing the common thread of the English language, diverged in significant ways due to their distinct cultural contexts. Early English literature often explored universal themes of love, loss, and the human condition, drawing inspiration from classical sources and medieval romances. It frequently employed ornate language, intricate poetic forms, and allegorical storytelling, reflecting the values and concerns of a hierarchical society deeply rooted in tradition. In contrast, early American literature emerged from a frontier society grappling with issues of identity, self-governance, and the clash between European and indigenous cultures. This nascent literature tended to be more pragmatic, often incorporating personal narratives, historical accounts, and religious reflections. While drawing inspiration from English literary traditions, early American writers sought to establish a unique voice that captured the spirit of a new nation struggling to define itself.
Early American literature provides a window into the birth of a nation, illuminating the values, ideas, and conflicts that shaped America's foundation. It vividly captures the essence of the American Dream, the enduring vision of a land brimming with opportunity, freedom, and self-reliance. Beyond its historical significance, this literature showcases the transformative power of language, inspiring and uniting people to fight for their beliefs and aspirations.
"Rip Van Winkle" - Washington Irving
In Washington Irving's "Rip Van Winkle," we meet a good-hearted but lazy fellow who resides in a small village nestled in the Catskill Mountains of New York. Rip, as he's known, would rather lend a hand to others than tackle his own chores, much to the chagrin of his nagging wife, Dame Van Winkle.
One day, seeking refuge from his wife's scolding, Rip wanders into the mountains and encounters a peculiar group of men engaged in a game of ninepins. He shares in their mysterious brew and succumbs to a deep slumber, only to awaken 20 years later, to a world transformed. Upon his return, Rip finds his village unrecognizable, his wife gone, his children grown, and the American Revolution a historical event. He grapples with the jarring reality, struggling to find his place in this new world.
"Rip Van Winkle" serves as an allegory for change and progress, illustrating the swift passage of time and the challenges of adapting to unfamiliar circumstances. Rip's extended slumber also symbolises a disconnect from significant events, mirroring those who remained oblivious to the American Revolution. Moreover, the tale touches upon the theme of escapism, as Rip's sleep becomes a refuge from his responsibilities and woes.
"Rip Van Winkle" (page 3)
Source: Project Gutenburg
"Whoever has made a voyage up the Hudson must remember the Kaatskill mountains. They are a dismembered branch of the great Appalachian family, and are seen away to the west of the river, swelling up to a noble height, and lording it over the surrounding country. Every change of season, every change of weather, indeed, every hour of the day, produces some change in the magical hues and shapes of these mountains, and they are regarded by all the good wives, far and near, as perfect barometers. When the weather is fair and settled, they are clothed in blue and purple, and print their bold outlines on the clear evening sky; but sometimes, when the rest of the landscape is cloudless, they will gather a hood of grey vapours about their summits, which, in the last rays of the setting sun, will glow and light up like a crown of glory.”"
Discussion questions
Do you think Rip Van Winkle was a good person? Why or why not?
Why do you think Rip fell asleep for so long? What could this mean?
How would you feel if you woke up and everything had changed like Rip did?
What do you think is the most important message of the story?
If you could ask Rip one question, what would it be?