Rip Van Winkle - discussion questions

Question

Several symbols of the newly created United States of America confuse Rip, who still thinks he’s under the rule of King George III when he walks back into town. Name two patriotic items that confuse Rip but would likely delight a reader of this story in 1819.

Answer 1

Since Rip van Winkle would have fallen asleep, in the story, more than 50 years before the events of the American Revolution, two things that were prominently displayed would have utterly baffled him:

1. The American Flag (likely the 21-star flag of 1817, given the time of publication)
2. Portraiture of George Washington

Readers in 1819 would have felt a strong sense of patriotism at these American symbols. While we still revere and celebrate George Washington today, Americans at that time would have worshiped Washington. He was seen by most Americans to be the hero and father of their young nation. Seeing these icons show up in this short story would be a celebration of their young country over an oppressive nation.

While these things would do nothing but confuse Rip van Winkle, as he wonders who Washington is and why the flag looks so strange, Americans reading the story would have a fresh memory not only of the American Revolution, but even more recently, of the War of 1812. To see a man like Rip van Winkle coming down the mountain into this new world would be a celebration of the victories Americans would still be celebrating at this time.

Answer 2

I advise you look at two perspectives:

1) England's during the American Revolution

2) American's during the American Revolution

When Rip wakes up confused, he sees a new government...

He sees George Washington, no longer King George III. He sees a flagpole with the American flag and he is FREE from England. There are at least three right off the bat that show patriotism. The patriotic symbols are the flagpole with the American Flag, the portrait of General George Washington and the eagle. The American Flag, our first president, General George Washington, and a strong triumphant eagle soaring. This meant freedom, pride, excitement, triumph, new possibilities and opportunities yet, all of it meant newness and unknowns. They all symbolize freedom.

You could go further into the many symbols of this book. Take a look at Rip's children, who would run wild. Patriotically, again this is freedom. They are in new territory with many opportunities. England's view was perhaps the Americans were rebels, lazy, whiners and rude. The Boston Tea Party is considered a patriotic act in the United States of America and something we teach in American Revolution as a turning point as we fought England about taxes. England looked at the Americans and think they have no manners like the children in the story.

I hope this helps. Continue to ask yourself, what do you think is patriotic? Does Rip see it when he awakes? What makes an American proud to be part of the USA? What symbols are they? What would England have thought at the time?