Rip Van Winkle, by Washington Irving, is symbolic of the European sentiment towards the new society in America and establishes an identity before and after the American Revolution. Rip Van Winkle's character depicts the society of America as seen by England, whereas the England portrayed by his wife, Dame Van Winkle. The townspeople represent American society at large and how it changed with the realization of becoming an independent country.
Rip Van Winkle was a "a kind neighbor, and an obedient hen-pecked husband". All the good wives of the village liked him because he was willing help at any time. "In a word Rip was ready to attend to anybody's business but his own; but as to doing family duty, and keeping his farm in order, he found it impossible." Seeing that Rip Van Winkle's family was deteriorating while the people of the town were profiting from his rebellion against the authority and possible needs of his family shows that the Crown was losing respect while America was gaining the loyalty of its own people. Rip's idleness could be perceived as the British perception that America was unwilling to focus on their duties as servants of the Crown.
In representing the Crown, Dame Van Winkle would nag him to death over his duties so much that he would seek refuge from these tirades by going to town to sit in front of the tavern and remain idle with his friends. Even this did not prove to be an efficient escape because soon enough his wife would track him down to nag him and his colleagues further. This is a direct parallel to the political situation with the continued government control of Mother England. England was very domineering in their everyday lives and not willing to allow America its freedom. Americans were trying to avoid the tyranny of the Crown, just as Rip would do everything possible to escape his overbearing wife.
The townspeople, in representing the American society, show how American society changed before and after the revolution. Before the revolution, it seemed that the townspeople were more complacent and unmotivated. This is representative of repression America experienced while under British rule. This furthered the opinion that Americans were just lazy and unproductive subjects of the Crown. The revolution awoke the fire within the American Spirit and the townspeople became alive with anticipation of their new self government. When Rip came back to town after his 20 year nap, the townspeople were filled with a new found energy looking forward to the next elections. They asked questions of political nature as opposed to before when all conversation was idle gossip.
Irving's "Rip Van Winkle" demonstrates the change in America's ideals due to the transition experienced through the American Revolution. This story gives us insight into the internal personalities of the American colonists and how the passage of time changes a society.
