Personal Response to Rip Van Winkle
Washing Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle” is a powerful historical material that describes the issues experienced by many Americans before and after the Revolutionary War. The author uses the life of Rip Van Winkle to analyze the practices of many communities. The story highlights the economic activities embraced by different people in the targeted society. The author also describes the experiences of many citizens during the colonial period.
The writer also examines the traditional beliefs of these native Indians. For instance, the Kaatskill Mountains were associated with different spirits (Irving 26). Such spirits influenced the experiences of many communities.
The author uses the life of Van Winkle to describe the fate of many settlers. Rip Van Winkle was a blessed person. His kindness made him popular. Many women and children admired Rip Winkle. He also taught them how to fly and make kites. Van was always ready to help many individuals in society. However, he was not ready to complete different family duties. Van did not bother about his farm. Winkle was always “ready to whistle his life away” (Irving 10). Winkle’s experiences describe the issues encountered in every Dutch society.
Van Winkle’s encounter with the above spirits describes the traditions and beliefs of many native tribes. The narration also describes the lifestyles of the Dutch. These people engaged in different activities such as trade and farming. The emergence of the Revolutionary War created a new history in the country. This war eventually made these people free. Rip Van Winkle eventually rejoined a free society after the war (Irving 21). This narration also explains why the work of Diedrick Knickerbocker is unquestionable. This approach makes the article meaningful. I am therefore planning to read similar stories to understand the history of this society.
Works Cited
Irving, Washington. The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon. New York, NY: Longman, 1981. Print.
