An Analysis of the Story of Rip Van Winkle

I always thought the story of Rip Van Winkle was a children’s tale teaching the lesson not to be lazy. While in a way it still is, it also symbolizes so much more. The character of Rip is used to show how the American man is perceived abroad. Foreigners stereotype the typical American male as a perpetually jolly, overgrown child; one of the boys, ignorant of his own wife and the world of adult men. In the following short essay, I will discuss and support my topic of Rip as a symbol of the mythic American male.

For example, in the beginning of the story, Rip is perceived as a very lazy but jolly young man. When he’s introduced, he is ducking out of work and avoiding his wife. All Rip wants to do is sit back, relax, and let all the good things come to him. He does just enough to provide for himself and his family. His children are very wild and ragged looking. Even his own son is taking after him, from his clothes to his attitude towards things. It is said in the story that Rip, if left to himself, would’ve whistled life away in perfect contentment. Such examples point to how ignorant Rip is of his family and the rest of the world.

Rip tried to work, but everything he did on his own farm was useless. Every part of his farm was a mess. All his fences were falling apart, letting his cows wander. Weeds had taken over his cabbage patch. Rip’s farm became the worst in the town. No matter what Rip did, his farm just wouldn’t improve. Instead of trying to fight his own farm, he’d take his happy self into town every day. The children of the town loved Rip. He helped the kids build their toys, taught them how to fly kites, and shoot marbles. Just like a child, Rip was always ready to help others rather than attending to his own business. He would always be the first one to help his neighbors build a new stone fence. But most of Rip’s day was spent on a bench in front of a small inn, where he and other villagers sat and spun tall tales that led nowhere. Even when his wife, Dame Van Winkle, would come to break up their daily meetings at the inn, Rip would stroll off whistling as content as ever. With these statements, Rip seems to be one of the boys and the perfectly jolly overgrown child.

In “Rip Van Winkle,” Rip symbolizes the American man-child who never grew up. Rip is careless, self-centered, and dangerously innocent. As previously mentioned, I used to view the story of Rip Van Winkle as just a children’s story. But now, I perceive it differently. I see that Rip is a symbol of the American man as seen by others. Irving does a great job of disguising the good-natured Rip as a symbol of America.

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