Rip Van Winkle - Theme

Rackham's Illustrations to Rip Van
     Winkle, www.artpassions.net.
     Web. 12 December 2010  

     Rip Van Winkle is known for its American elements. As more and more literature began to be formed, the value for American elements in readings became just as popular. Washington Irving is a great example of how to be an 'American' author. Irving is known for writing with imagination and for writing traditionally. These are two the things that made him so famous.

     The use of the symbols built Rip up to be happier without the people he lives with. In the story his wife is made out to be an evil woman, his kids show absolutely no respect. This is a description of America before the revolution. But when Rip wakes up on the grassy knoll, everything that he had known before had gone away. These things were replaced with a bright morning and singing birds. Over his head was a flying Bald Eagle. The eagle represents happiness and freedom but Rip doesn't know that yet.
     One other aspect of American elements in Rip Van Winkle is humor.  There are countless moments in the story where Irving used humor. For instance, he told us that he was too scared to stand up to his nagging wife and that his great error in life was that he was opposed to any kind of profitable labor.
     Washington Irving presents many traits that Americans are proud of. From symbolism to humor, Irving leads the way for many more Americans writers to come. This has changed the American people. Because of him traditional stories have been sustained, symbolism has been drilled into the American people, and humor has warmed hearts. This is exactly what Irving wanted to happen. Irving knew he had a way of satisfying readers and that's just what he did to people all over America.