American Mythology

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1. Which detail from “Rip Van Winkle” reflects characteristics of the American Identity?

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The Catskill mountain setting is depicted as both magical and representative of young American’s infinite possibilities.

Front

1. Which setting (time OR place) would it be appropriate for Rip Van Winkle to express the following statement?

“Alas! Gentlemen,” cried Rip, somewhat dismayed, “I am a poor quiet man, a native of the place, and a loyal subject of the King, God bless him!”

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1. Before he went to sleep for 20 years (while he lived in a British colony and NOT America)

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An element of a national mythology is that it is written to celebrate the nation’s heroes. How is this reflected in “Rip Van Winkle”?

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1. Because of his positive outlook and willingness to be of service, Rip is beloved by his community. 

2. Rip is portrayed as an endearing underdog who must endure endless nagging from his wife.

Front

Read the excerpt from “Rip Van Winkle.”

Times grew worse and worse with Rip Van Winkle as years of matrimony rolled on; a tart tempter never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener by constant use. 

4. What does the phrase “a tart tempter mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener with constant use” suggest?

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With each day the Van Winkles are together, the more intense and consistent Dame Van Winkle’s nagging becomes.

Front

Read the following passage from Rip Van Winkle:

Nicholas Vedder, a patriarch of the village, made his opinions known by the manner in which he smoked his pipe. Short puffs indicated anger; but when he was pleased, he would inhale the smoke slowly and emit it in light and delicate clouds.

Since the author is characterizing how Nicholas Vedder feels through Vedder’s actions instead of just telling us that information, the author is using which type of characterization?

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Indirect Characterization

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Certain it is, that he was a great favorite among all the good wives of the village, who, as usual with the amiable sex, took his part in all family squabbles, and never failed, whenever they talked those matters over in their evening gossipings, to lay all the blame on Dame Van Winkle. The children of the village, too, would shout with joy whenever he approached. He assisted at their sports, made their playthings, taught them to fly kites and shoot marbles, and told them long stories of ghosts, witches, and Indians. Whenever he went dodging about the village, he was surrounded by a troop of them, hanging on his skirts, clambering on his back, and playing a thousand tricks on him with impunity; and not a dog would bark at him throughout the neighborhood.

1. According to the passage, what was Rip Van Winkle's one personality flaw?

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He would help everyone else before attending to his own business.

Front

 It was some time before he could get into the regular track of gossip, or could be made to comprehend the strange events that had taken place during his torpor. How that there had been a revolutionary war—that the country had thrown off the yoke of old England—and that, instead of being a subject of his majesty George the Third he was now a free citizen of the United States...There was one species of despotism under which he had long groaned, and that was—petticoat government. Happily, that was at an end; he had got his neck out of the yoke of matrimony, and could go in and out whenever he pleased, without dreading the tyranny of Dame Van Winkle. Whenever her name was mentioned, however, he shook his head, shrugged his shoulders, and cast up his eyes; which might pass either for an expression of resignation to his fate, or joy at his deliverance.

1. How does this scene affect the text?

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It explains that just as America has gained freedom from the British, Rip has found freedom from his wife.

Front

 Read this passage from "Rip Van Winkle."

"Indeed, to the latter circumstance might be owing that meekness of spirit which gained him such universal popularity; for those men are most apt to be obsequious and conciliating abroad, who are under the discipline of shrews at home. Their tempers, doubtless, are rendered pliant and malleable in the fiery furnace of domestic tribulation, and a curtain lecture is worth all the sermons in the world for teaching the virtues of patience and long-suffering. A temperamental wife may, therefore, in some respects, be considered a tolerable blessing; and if so, Rip Van Winkle was thrice blessed."

8.  What type of characterization is being used by the author?

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Direct Characterization

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Irving adds humor to the story by including which literary techniques

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exaggeration also known as hyperbole

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While reading the poem, the reader recorded his thoughts and reactions. Which reaction is BEST supported by the ideas and details in this poem?

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The speaker has great respect for the ship, Old Ironsides.